Voluntary National Reviews - Sustainable Development Knowledge ...

2017

Voluntary National Reviews

COMPILATION OF EXECUTIVE SUMMARIES

UNITED NATIONS | Department of Economic and Social Affairs | Division for Sustainable Development

Table of Contents

Afghanistan ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Argentina................................................................................................................................................. 4 Azerbaijan ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Bangladesh ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Belarus .................................................................................................................................................. 11 Belgium ................................................................................................................................................. 14 Belize ..................................................................................................................................................... 15 Benin ..................................................................................................................................................... 18 Botswana............................................................................................................................................... 20 Brazil...................................................................................................................................................... 25 Chile ...................................................................................................................................................... 27 Costa Rica .............................................................................................................................................. 28 Cyprus ................................................................................................................................................... 30 Czech Republic ...................................................................................................................................... 32 Denmark ................................................................................................................................................ 35 El Salvador ............................................................................................................................................. 38 Ethiopia ................................................................................................................................................. 39 Guatemala ............................................................................................................................................. 46 Honduras ............................................................................................................................................... 48 India ...................................................................................................................................................... 50 Indonesia ............................................................................................................................................... 54 Italy ....................................................................................................................................................... 63 Japan ..................................................................................................................................................... 68 Jordan.................................................................................................................................................... 70 Kenya..................................................................................................................................................... 77 Luxembourg .......................................................................................................................................... 80 Malaysia ................................................................................................................................................ 83 1

Maldives ................................................................................................................................................ 85 Monaco ................................................................................................................................................. 87 Nepal ..................................................................................................................................................... 88 Netherlands........................................................................................................................................... 90 Nigeria ................................................................................................................................................... 95 Panama ................................................................................................................................................. 97 Peru ....................................................................................................................................................... 98 Portugal ............................................................................................................................................... 100 Qatar ................................................................................................................................................... 108 Slovenia ............................................................................................................................................... 115 Sweden................................................................................................................................................ 116 Tajikistan ............................................................................................................................................. 119 Thailand............................................................................................................................................... 124 Togo .................................................................................................................................................... 128 Uruguay ............................................................................................................................................... 131 Zimbabwe............................................................................................................................................ 132

Disclaimer: This is an informal unedited compilation of executive summaries/main messages submitted by 43 countries that participated in the 2017 Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) from 17 July to 19 July 2017. For original submissions, full reports as well as videos of VNR presentations, please visit https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf#vnrs

2

Afghanistan [Originally submitted in English]

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was unanimously adopted by all member states at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on September 25, 2015. The Agenda presents a radical new approach to transforming our world. While focusing on the basic pillars of sustainable development, which are economic, social and environmental, the plan also integrated additional elements, being peace, justice and institutions. Overall, the 2030 Agenda aims at being universally applicable and indivisible by “leaving no one behind”. Afghanistan has endorsed these principles, as illustrated by its Key Messages to be conveyed at the 2017 High Level Political Forum. 1. POLITICAL WILL The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) has taken action to affirm its commitment to attaining the SDGs. GoIRA has designated the Ministry of Economy (MoEc) as the lead line ministry and focal point for the coordination, monitoring and reporting on Afghanistan Sustainable Development Goals (A-SDGs). The nationalization process is closely coordinated with High Council of Ministers (HCM) to ensure the implementation of the A-SDGs, and stronger cooperation with the private sector, civil society and community organizations. 2. LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND Consultation with all member states has been at the core of the adoption of the ASDGs on a global level. GoIRA has adopted a similar approach and has engaged all national and international stakeholders in its attempt to nationalize and align the A-SDGs with national planning processes, policies and strategies. Consequently, GoIRA has conducted around 50 workshops, seminars, symposiums and conferences with civil society organizations, private sector actors, academia, media, youth, students and women’s groups. 3. BUILDING STRONGER PARTNERSHIPS Multi-stakeholder partnerships will be key to mobilizing and sharing knowledge, expertise, technologies and financial resources to support the realization of the A-SDGs. Coordination between the relevant institutions will be crucial. In this context, Afghanistan has framed cross-ministerial activities on A-SDGs with an oversight commission, ‘A-SDGs National Coordination Commission (NCC)’. The Commission will be supported by a secretariat and technical working groups that work on data collection, data verification, reporting and followup mechanisms. Coordination mechanisms is developed to facilitate the implementation of ASDGs and to report on the national targets and indicators. The NCC will provide a high level platform for direct and sustained engagement between the various government stakeholders, the private sector actors, civil society organizations, NGOs, academia, youths and the international community, with the common purpose of attaining the A-SDGs. 4. SETTING NATIONAL TARGETS The A-SDGs program has been defined as a global aspiration. It is expected that each government will adapt the targets to its own national circumstances. GoIRA is in the process of finalizing its nationalization of the A-SDGs, targets and indicators.

3

The nationalized targets and indicators for the SDGs in Afghanistan have been divided into eight budgetary sectors. The negotiation process required several coordination meetings between MoEc, the line ministries involved in each of budgetary sector, and development partners. 5. CHALLENGES AND THE WAY AHEAD Former UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, stressed that “implementation is the litmus test of the new agenda”. Every country will encounter unique challenges in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Afghanistan is no exception. In some areas institutional capacity is insufficient. Data collection, analysis and dissemination will be challenging. The political will to attaining the SDGs is jeopardized by security, social and economic challenges.

Argentina [Originally submitted in Spanish and translated to English by the Secretariat]

Strategies for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals It was confirmed in December 2015 that the National Council for Social Policy Coordination would coordinate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The inter-institutional mechanism for implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda comprises 26 institutions coordinated by the Council, as indicated in Figure I. Figure I Inter-institutional mechanism for implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda

The National Institute of Statistics and Censuses is a member of one of the working committees, in addition to providing ongoing statistical expertise. 4

Civil society organizations, businesses, academia and subnational governments are aligned with the national institutions that comprise the mechanism. Priority Sustainable Development Goals In adapting the 2030 Agenda to its national context, Argentina took into account the indivisibility, integrality and cross-cutting nature of the Agenda. Consequently, it incorporated the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and prioritized the related targets, in accordance with the aspirational goal of eliminating poverty and the Government’s national priorities. This work was carried out by the Council between December 2015 and March 2016. Main challenges and areas of progress • Ownership and institutionalization. The decision of the executive branch to implement the 2030 Agenda has facilitated the alignment of the Sustainable Development Goal targets with the Government’s strategic and sectoral plans, and their harmonization with other international initiatives. • Global-local balance. The alignment of Sustainable Development Goal targets with national policies requires the selection of relevant indicators to monitor these targets. However, even using the framework proposed by the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators as a basis, there may be differences that, it is hoped, the corresponding fact sheets will help to explain. • Indivisibility and integrality of the Goals. This required strong cross-cutting coordination and ongoing consensus-building. Grouping relevant ministerial departments into teams was particularly important to allow them to be informed of international discussions on issues related to the Sustainable Development Goal targets. Robust initiatives with the national departments concerned were also proposed. Both aspects were recognized as positive side-effects of contextualizing the 2030 Agenda. • Linkages with other government branches, subnational governments, the private business sector, civil society and academia. While partial progress was made, creating opportunities for participation to foster partnerships, in order to achieve better development policies and outcomes, remains a challenge. • Consolidation of monitoring. The implementation and follow-up mechanism has been established at the institutional level, although its monitoring capacities need to be consolidated. • Mobilization of resources for implementation. Progress has been made towards achieving alignment between national priorities, the Sustainable Development Goals and the national budget, but work remains to be done to ensure the budgetary resources and legal instruments required to reach the established targets. • Strengthening of statistics. The selection of indicators facilitated the identification of gaps in data and methodological weaknesses. The so-called “data revolution” also presents the challenge of striking a balance between big data, data coverage and data quality. These findings could be taken into account in statistical plans.

Involvement of other actors The legislative and judicial branches work in strategic partnership with the Council in order to create a favourable legal environment for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; ensure that government budgets reflect the commitments undertaken by the executive 5

branch; mobilize resources for implementation; and encourage citizen participation and accountability. The “localization” of implementation initiatives at various levels of government requires coordination between policies and efforts at the local and national levels. The Council has organized multiple activities aimed at raising awareness and encouraging the participation of civil society organizations and the private business sector in implementation efforts. It has also urged national ministries and institutions to collaborate with civil society and the business sector to obtain inputs and achieve synergies in implementation efforts and in the monitoring of progress. As for academia, in 2017 the Council encouraged universities to begin considering strategies for the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals. In that connection, it signed an agreement on joint action in February 2017. Resources for implementation The national Government is working to align its own priority goals and initiatives and the Sustainable Development Goals with the programmes and activities under the 2018 budget. Through this process, an estimated budget will be developed for each activity and necessary adjustments will be made to ensure its effective implementation. This relationship will be set out in the State management dashboard overseen by the Ministry of Modernization and the leadership of the Cabinet of Ministers. Figure II Alignment between the Sustainable Development Goals, government initiatives, projects and the national budget

Dashboard Government initiatives

Objectives

Guidelines

Projects

Subactivities

Government initiatives

National budget Sustainable Development Goals

Activities

National budget activities

Sustainable Development Goals

Azerbaijan [Originally submitted in English]

Sustainable Development in the Context of Azerbaijan National Development Agenda 1. The core elements for development model in Azerbaijan were formulated in the mid 1990-s and were gradually and consequently implemented by the Government through various integrated national programs. By 1996 economic growth resumed and in 1995-2003 it averaged at the level of 5.9% allowing macroeconomic stability and gradual restoration of industrial capacities, significant growth in employment and incomes of the population, improvement of the fiscal balance. 2. Continuous efforts of the Government, business community and civil society of Azerbaijan resulted in GDP increase 3.4-fold in 2004-2015 (average 10.6% annually) and 2.96

fold per capita GDP growth allowing Azerbaijan to move to the group of upper middle-income countries. Spurred by the oil-revenues, critical investment, both public and private, were mobilized for modernization of infrastructure, support to non-oil sectors, and financing of human development. 3. Starting from 2010 non-oil sector has been a key driving force of economic growth – while in the oil sector averaged 3.0% annually decline was observed in 2010-2014, non-oil sector growth equaled 8.8% annually. 4. Accelerated economic growth, broad institutional reforms aimed at improved public administration, as well as reforms in health, education and social protection resulted in significant improvement of the country’s global ratings reflecting its progress in achieving MDGs and pursuing wider national development agenda. 5. Azerbaijan was assessed as a “leading reformer of the world” in 2009 by the World Bank’s “Doing Business” Report. Based on the World Economic Forum’s “Global Competitiveness Report for 2016-2017” Azerbaijan is now 27 ranks ahead comparing to 2006 and is 37th among 138 countries. In accordance with this report, Azerbaijan is 39th in the world for the quality indicators of macroeconomic environment, 26th for labor market efficiency, 37th for national income to GDP ratio and 55th for infrastructure quality. 6. Poverty has decreased from 49.0% in 2001 to 7.6% in 2011 and further down to 4.9% in 2015. Azerbaijan’s food security is similar to that of the developed countries, with malnutrition affecting less than 5 per cent of the population. In recognition of Azerbaijan's outstanding achievements in implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, Azerbaijan received the 2015 South-South Award. Since 2010 Azerbaijan is in the group of countries with high human development (2015 HDI is above the average of 0.759 for countries in Europe and Central Asia). 7. Successful implementation of the oil-boom based development strategies and progress with MDGs allowed Azerbaijan to move to the longer-term development agenda. The visionary “Azerbaijan-2020” formulated by the President of Azerbaijan in 2012, foresees the country as the place where the population’s incomes are high, unemployment is minimum, human capital is highly developed, the environment is protected and every citizen has broad opportunities1. Based on the core elements of the concept of sustainable development the Vision reflects the longer-term national aspirations and goals and the key challenges on the way towards those goals. Azerbaijan on the Way towards Sustainable Development 8. Long-lasting peace, security, stability and social cohesion are the major prerequisites for sustainable development. However, the military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan does not allow achieving any major progress in the region. Despite the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and 884 (1993), condemning the use of force against Azerbaijan and occupation of its territories, reaffirming the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the occupying forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan, and in flagrant violation of international law, Armenia continues its purposeful efforts towards consolidating the current status-quo of the occupation, strengthening its military build-up in the seized territories and preventing the hundreds of thousands of forcibly displaced Azerbaijanis from returning to their homes and properties in those areas. The resolution of the conflict would not only bring stability and progress to both Armenia and Azerbaijan; it would also ensure peace and justice in the entire region. 9. Building inclusive and resilient growth, ensuring sustainable development would require moving from oil based to more diversified economy, continuing investment in human development, and ensuring greater connectivity to regional and global markets to fully unleash the exporting capacities of Azerbaijan. At the background of existing and emerging externalities, 12 Strategic Road Maps adopted by a Presidential Decree in 2016 outlining the 7

policy measures focused on re-balancing the economy by supporting new “high-end” sectors. The structure of economy will be adjusted through (i) higher growth of non-tradable sector versus tradable sector, (ii) processing versus production, (iii) private business versus public business, (iv) high technology intensive sectors versus low technology intensive sectors, (v) sectors based on highly qualified labor versus low qualified, (vi) high return markets versus low return markets and (vii) high value added generating sectors versus low value added generating sectors2. 10. While the Government will be pursuing ambitious structural reforms program in the coming years, it considers SDGs as a comprehensive framework providing integrated approach for development complementing and reinforcing the Strategic Road Maps. • Complex nature of SDGs emphasizes the fact that development goals are indivisible and require concerted efforts of all stakeholders, not just the Government; • Both the Strategic Road Maps and nationalized SDGs processes would require sophisticated system of indicators and improved data collection system for policy formulation process as well as for monitoring and evaluation; • “Leaving no-one behind” principle fully coincides with priorities of the Government to address issues of balanced spatial/territorial development and reducing inequalities, eliminating all forms of poverty and empowerment of women and youth. This particularly refers to refugees and IDPs. 11. All Government development plans and programs (both ongoing and those yet to be formulated) during the period until 2030 will be revised, harmonized and aligned to support achievement of nationalized SDGs. National SDG Process – Institutional Mechanisms for an Integrated Approach 12. The National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development with its Secretariat in the Ministry of Economy was established according to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The NCCSD has full authority to perform its core functions formulated as follow: Ensure broad based and inclusive stakeholder participation; Translate global sustainable development goals, targets and indicators to the national context; Identify of national priorities and sustainable development gaps; Articulate inclusive and rights-based national strategies and policies; Coordinate and promote collaboration among various government agencies and ministries; Secure coherence among development partners to align with national priorities; Design national reporting and review framework, and links to regional and global reviews; Identify needs and opportunities for capacity development. 13. To support the NCCSD in both nationalization of SDGs and further implementation of respective programs and plans the government established four Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) – Economic Growth and Decent Jobs, Social Development, Environmental Issues, Monitoring and Evaluation. The NCCSD has the power to establish additional TWGs and engage both local and international expertise to support SDG nationalization, planning and implementation of respective policy measures. 14. The State Statistical Committee (SSC) is identified as a key national agency responsible for processing and maintaining effective and responsive database to measure the progress in achievement of nationalized SDGs. The intensive consultations are still in progress for the alignment of SDG goals, targets and indicators to national priorities. All central government agencies and local governments have appointed the focal points to support SSC in its efforts to collect and process data, formulate, pilot and introduce new indicators for SDG monitoring and evaluation. Extensive use of ICT tools will be promoted at all levels of the government to enable innovative approaches in data collection and processing. Building National Ownership and Participation 8

15. The Government of Azerbaijan considers the national SDG process as an opportunity to empower a broader range of national stakeholders, promote participative national dialogue and to streamline wider cooperation on the path to sustainable development. Driven by the principle of “leaving no one behind”, which is a core commitment of the SDGs, and determined to engage all stakeholders in achieving the SDGs, the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development of Azerbaijan Republic partnered with the UN Office in Azerbaijan conducted a panel discussions on SDG implementation which brought together representatives of the different groups of society (academia, civil society, women, youth, parliament). The government, while acting as coordinator for the attainment of nationalized SDGs, will be facilitating and supporting SDG-focused initiatives of civil society institutions, academia, business and professional associations, other stakeholders and partners. 16. To maintain interactive communications with local and international partners the Government will create an interactive web-platform promoting awareness on global and national SDG goals and targets, milestones and indicators. This web-platform would be instrumental for participatory process of consultations on the national SDGs, for monitoring and reporting process. 17. Local mass media and civil society would be engaged as brokers for this on-line and off-line process, securing outreach to all the groups and segments of society. Special emphasis would be made to hear voices of women, youth, disadvantageous, particularly of refugees and IDPs. Next Steps for 2017 and Beyond 18. Nationalization of SDGs through aligning those to the national context and to the Azerbaijan’s strategic development priorities would allow to formulate by end of 2017 National Sustainable Development Goals and Targets, strengthen a broad consensus about those. 19. Subsequently, in 2018, Government would convene a National SDG Conference with UN Country Office to discuss the means of implementation of the national SDG Agenda. The Conference would be instrumental in defining of new drivers of growth and transformation, and the entry points for interventions, which could generate the larger positive spillovers across various sector of the national economy, covering all the part of the country and ensuring that all people of Azerbaijan are engaged to and could ultimately benefit from the SDG process. 20. Success in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda would also require learning on the best international practices, particularly under the South-South Cooperation modality. Azerbaijan would remain committed for sharing its knowledge and experience in formulating and implementing of nationalized SDGs. 21. Government and its development partners would need to elaborate a system of SDG indicators, critical for monitoring and reporting. Data availability, access to data and capacities to both collect, process and disseminate data remain as one of major challenges ahead requiring dedicated efforts both at national and international levels. 22. The Government would continue relying on UNDP as well as other UN agencies on their support and guidance at the different stages of the national SDG process from the nationalization of the goals towards monitoring and reporting.

9

Bangladesh [Originally submitted in English]

A NEW TRANSFORMATION PATH Bangladesh, as part of her commitment to implement the SDGs, decided to take part in the Voluntary National Review at the UN High Level Political Forum. Bangladesh has an inspiring story to tell. We have earned many international accolades for our achievements in MDGs. While embarking on the journey to implement the SDGs, we drew inspiration from the ideals of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who envisaged a prosperous Bangladesh with equal opportunities for all. The Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina envisioned transforming Bangladesh into a middle income country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041. Bangladesh has already become a low middle income country. We have already translated this vision, pronounced at the highest political level, into an actionable agenda by formulating Perspective Plan (2010-2021) and two Five Year Plans (FYPs) associated with this. Bangladesh integrated the 2030 Agenda in its 7th FYP (2016-2020). This offered a tremendous opportunity to implement the 2030 Agenda, while reflecting the priorities of the SDGs in the national plan. The Government has adopted “Whole of Society” approach to ensure wider participation of NGOs, development partners, private sector, media and CSOs in the process of formulation of the Action Plan and implementation of the SDGs. To spearhead the process, ‘SDGs Implementation and Monitoring Committee’ has been formed at the Prime Minister’s Office to facilitate and implementation of SDGs Action Plan. MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION • Mapping of Ministries: Bangladesh has clearly identified the responsibilities of the ministries and agencies to achieve the SDGs. Bangladesh has mapped out lead, co-lead and associate ministries against each target of the SDGs. This mapping exercise is expected to reduce duplication of efforts, enhance synergy and help formulate action plans. • Data gap analysis: Bangladesh Planning Commission conducted a review of various means of data generation in the country. It reveals that Bangladesh has data for 70 indicators and partially available data for 108 indicators but need to devise new mechanism for data mining for the remaining 63 indicators. • National Monitoring & Evaluation Framework: We are in the process of finalizing a Monitoring & Evaluation Framework for SDGs implementation. This framework will have a macro level web based data repository system to facilitate data collection, analysis, progress tracking and reporting. • Action Plan to achieve SDGs: The Government is preparing an action plan for implementation of the SDGs in alignment with the 7th FYP. Respective ministries are working towards translating the particular targets into actionable projects/programmes/activities in this regard. The Action Plan for SDGs will be finalized by June 2017. • Needs Assessment and Financing Strategy: We are at the final stage of determining the financing needs for SDGs implementation with a view to mobilizing internal and external resources. • Assimilation of SDGs targets in Performance Agreement: Bangladesh has introduced Annual Performance Agreement (APA), a results-based performance management system, across the whole spectrum of public sector assessing individual and ministries/agencies performance.

10

CHALLENGES AHEAD • Resource Mobilization: SDGs are all encompassing requiring huge resources for implementation. Traditional sources of funding are not going to be sufficient to implement the SDGs. We need to find innovative ways of financing from both the public and the private sectors, development partners and ensure effective and efficient ways for utilization. • Stakeholders’ Engagement: SDGs implementation requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving private sector, NGOs, CSOs, Media and Major Group of Other Stakeholders. Bangladesh has been working out how to enhance participation of all the stakeholders in its efforts to implement the SDGs. • Data Availability and Management: There are enormous challenges in collection, analysis, disaggregation, and dissemination of data. The country needs to build collaboration at bilateral, regional and global levels for capacity building and sharing of best practices. • Localization of SDGs: Localization of SDGs targets and indicators for contextualizing the 2030 Agenda appropriately with local development plans and strategies is of utmost importance and emphasized.

CONCLUSION SDGs demand concerted and collective efforts with strong political commitment at all levels. The 2030 Agenda comes at a time when Bangladesh has already kicked off its journey towards an upper middle income country by 2030 and a developed country by 2041. Bangladesh has incorporated priorities of SDGs in all her development policies. The Government has adopted an inclusive approach to development so that the poorest and the most vulnerable section of the country can be integrated into its national development efforts. As the country moves ahead, challenges in several areas, including in resource mobilization and data management, will have to be addressed. Bangladesh is confident to set the example of a leading SDGs achiever.

Belarus [Originally submitted in Russian and translated to English by the Secretariat]

Belarus is committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and considers that the Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved through coordinated economic, social and environmental activities by all national partners under conditions of political stability and steady economic growth. Two important factors in the achievement of the Goals are mutually beneficial cooperation at the regional and global levels and the sharing of knowledge and experience regarding innovations with the aim of building capacity and transferring technologies for development purposes. Institutional innovations — the establishment of a national coordination mechanism for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 11

A national coordination mechanism has been established in Belarus to form a comprehensive overview of the national circumstances and priorities in the 2030 Agenda implementation process, to take into account the cross-cutting and indivisible nature of the Sustainable Development Goals and to achieve a balance between the three components of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental). The institutional innovations include the establishment by the President of Belarus of the post of National Coordinator for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the establishment of a national council for sustainable development with the National Coordinator at its helm. The activities of the council, which comprises the directors of 30 relevant national and regional government bodies, will help to increase the accountability of specific government agencies in the implementation of the Goals; establish a platform for intersectoral exchange and discussion of progress with regard to the implementation of the Goals; and ensure that the challenges of vertical and horizontal coordination are addressed more effectively. The National Coordinator will monitor the implementation of the Goals at the national level and coordinate the efforts of all parties involved. To this end, discussions have been organized within the council, attended by representatives of specialized scientific and research bodies, non-governmental organizations and partners from among United Nations agencies and international organizations, on a broad range of issues regarding the achievement of specific sustainable development goals and challenges. The National Coordinator will report to the Government and the President on progress with regard to the implementation of the Goals and will submit recommendations on how to improve the implementation process. Parliamentary hearings and national consultations involving a wide range of partners, including civil society, also form part of the process of implementing and monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals. Other partners in Belarus, together with United Nations agencies, are working to inform the Belarusian public about the 2030 Agenda in order to raise public awareness, create an enabling environment and mobilize domestic resources for the achievement of the Goals. Adaptation of global sustainable development indicators to the national situation — use of policies driven by strategic data Belarus considers that making progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring that nobody is left behind largely depend on high-quality, accessible, timely and reliable disaggregated data. The main difficulties faced by Belarus in establishing a national system of indicators on the basis of global indicators are the gaps in data and methodology. Full information is available for only 38 per cent of the indicators; there is partial information on 22 per cent of them; and there are no data or calculation methodologies in the case of almost 40 per cent of them. Under the direction of the Belarusian Statistical Committee, public administration bodies have begun compiling a list of national indicators to be used as a basis for the establishment of a national system of indicators for monitoring the Goals. It is envisaged that the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals will be monitored through the joint efforts of central and local government bodies, with nongovernmental and international partners also involved in the activities.

12

Key challenges in this regard are the strengthening of the statistical capacity of Belarus and coordination and collaboration between different participants in sustainable development processes. The Sustainable Development Goals in national development strategies, programmes and plans Belarus has already taken a number of significant steps at the national level towards the practical implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Its activities started in 2015 when the Government approved the national strategy for sustainable socioeconomic development, which set out the main milestones to be achieved by 2030. The main aims of the strategy are to transform the model of the national economy from administrative to indicative planning; achieve a balance between public and private sector contributions to gross domestic product; develop the national economy; introduce the principles of a green economy in industry; promote innovative development and social support for the most needy; and create conditions in which every individual can achieve his or her potential. Efforts are currently being made to harmonize the national strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals. In the near future, the Government will approve an updated national strategy based on the specific goals and challenges of the 2030 Agenda, taking into account the national system of sustainable development indicators. Belarus views the incorporation of the Goals into national, sectoral and regional development strategies, programmes and plans as an important factor in the implementation at the national level of the 2030 Agenda. These strategies, programmes and plans specify the work to be carried out by the Government and central and local authorities, improvements to be made to legislation and the distribution of budget resources. In December 2016, the programme Republic of Belarus for the period until 2020 The programme identified the maximizing economy’s potential for innovation — and sustainable development.

for the socioeconomic development of the was adopted after extensive public discussion. of domestic resources — in particular the human development as the cornerstones of

A major development challenge is to improve the quality of life of the population by boosting the competitiveness of the economy, attracting investment and promoting innovative development. In order to achieve the stated goals, the development of Belarus will be geared towards the following priorities: ensuring sustainable economic growth through investment and innovation; investing in human development; strengthening social support for vulnerable groups; achieving gender equality; pursuing an active youth policy; and preserving environmental sustainability. In Belarus, the Sustainable Development Goals will be achieved with account taken of the indicators included in the national, sectoral and regional strategies, programmes and plans. As the process of creating a national system of sustainable development indicators is completed, the indicators will be incorporated into the national monitoring and planning system. Methodology for compiling the voluntary national review of Belarus Belarus considers the high-level political forum on sustainable development to be a unique platform for exchanging best practices, drawing up recommendations for surmounting

13

challenges to sustainable development and developing effective strategic and coordinated measures for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. An important driver of sustainable development at the national level is the study, adaptation and application of international best practices. Belarus stands ready to share its best practices with regard to sustainable development with the international community. Belarus welcomes, in addition to the universal scope of the high-level political forum, the systematic analysis of the regional aspects of sustainable development, with particular focus on emerging trends and difficulties and on coordinated responses and measures for tackling the most pressing issues. Sustainable development issues for middle-income countries warrant serious consideration at the high-level political forum. If equitable progress is to be achieved, it is crucial to broaden the support of the United Nations system for this category of States, which accounts for a sizeable proportion of the global population and the global economy. It will not be possible to achieve all three components of sustainable development without addressing the economic and social problems of these countries and ensuring their active involvement in the achievement of the Goals at both the national and the international levels. In its first voluntary national review, Belarus will consider the issues of prosperity, a healthy lifestyle and well-being as priorities, within the framework of the main theme of the 2017 high-level political forum: eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world. It will also focus on the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda related to food security and sustainable agriculture, health care, education, gender equality, employment and demographics, and also the building of resilient infrastructure and the promotion of sustainable industrialization and innovation. Particular attention will be paid in the review to the cross-cutting issue of “leaving no one behind”, as well as to revitalizing and strengthening a global partnership that brings together Governments, the United Nations system, civil society, the private sector and other actors, with the aim of mobilizing all available resources for the achievement of sustainable development.

Belgium [Originally submitted in English]

Belgium can build on a long tradition of efforts towards sustainable development. Since 2007, sustainable development is anchored in the Belgian Constitution as a general policy objective. For several years, the various governments at federal and federated levels have been using overarching plans and strategies to ensure coherence between the different dimensions of sustainable development, while a tailored institutional framework enables cooperation, consultation and coordination between the actors involved. While these elements provide Belgian authorities with a good starting point, further adaptations and accelerations in terms of policy-making, institutional functioning and staffing are necessary in view of incorporating the SDGs and targets into all of our internal and external policy frameworks in the best and most coherent possible manner. This process is ongoing, and the National Voluntary Review (NVR) has so far played a pedagogical and instrumental role, thereby also maximizing the peer learning potential within 14

the Belgian federal system. Coordinated by a political steering committee chaired by the Prime Minister, and with the active involvement of representatives from the various federal and federated entities, it has ensured a much needed high-level political impetus. It has intensified reflections on the best way to operationalize the SDGs within government departments; allowed progress in the work on a Belgian SDG indicator framework; emphasized the need to ensure all relevant actors are truly on board in a ‘whole of government’ comprehensive approach coherently combining development, defense, diplomacy and rule of law instruments abroad; and it has given a renewed impulse in terms of collaboration with civil society stakeholders and private sector. Most importantly, it has allowed for the first time to deliver a comprehensive overview of the panoply of actions which, domestically as well as externally directed, are currently ongoing and contributing to SDG attainment. NVR findings underscore the commitment of the Belgian authorities to implementing the SDGs as a whole, taking on board key principles such as leaving no-one behind, adopting a rights-based approach and mainstreaming gender throughout the SDGs. The focus is on all SDGs, working through overarching strategies and initiatives to address interlinkages and to enhance cooperation within and between the various governments. Governments are aligning sectoral and thematic policy plans at national, subnational and local levels to the 2030 Agenda. This alignment has, for example, already contributed to a far-reaching overhaul in Belgian international development policies. The NVR also highlights the commitment of civil society organizations and private sector players, who are launching a broad range of actions and are often setting up new umbrella organizations or revitalizing and adapting existing ones. All 17 SDGs as well as a large majority of their corresponding 169 targets are currently being addressed in one way or another, with many actions being reported on the SDGs related to, inter alia, health, gender, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work, terrestrial biodiversity and peaceful societies. The review also identified that further efforts will be required in a number of areas in order to address specific challenges, as scale matters in terms of the extent to which various governments have been able to systematically incorporate the SDGs throughout their areas of competence. Civil society counterparts, consulted in the context of this NVR, indicated that they expect additional attention for issues pertaining to lifelong learning, water and air quality (including particulate matter), energy intensity and renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions, people at risk of poverty as well as mobilization of the necessary means of implementation. Reviewing the implementation of the SDGs in and by Belgium remains work in progress. Given the challenges related to undertaking a fully-fledged review of progress and impact covering the full breadth and depth of this agenda, this first edition of the Belgian NVR should be considered primarily as a stocktaking exercise, a starting point providing us with a (partial) baseline and a benchmark: for guiding further action, for future monitoring of progress, and for strengthening accountability towards the Belgian population and parliaments.

Belize [Originally submitted in English]

I. Key plans or Strategies for Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] Belize has made significant strides in transitioning from the Millennium Development Goals in 2015. “Horizon 2030: National Development Framework for Belize 2010-2030” now 15

guides long-term development planning. The strategic priorities for Belize by the year 2030 includes democratic governance for effective public administration and sustainable development; education; economic resilience and a healthy citizenry and environment. Building on this long-term development plan and to guide the implementation of the SDGs the “Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (GSDS) 2016-2020” was adopted. This is an integrated, systematic approach based on the principles of sustainable development towards a proactive role for the state; accessing global markets; and innovative social policy implementation. II. Priority SDGs Successful sustainable development requires prioritization of a country’s goals based on clear criteria and critical success factors that create multiplier effects on other goals. Of the six SDGs prioritized for discussion at the High Level Political Forum [HLPF] in July 2017, Belize has selected two goals: SDG# 5 - Gender Equality and SDG# 14 - Life Below Water, for detailed discussion. SDG #5: Gender Equality Achievements: • The Government of Belize has embarked on aligning gender equality policies, plans and other normative frameworks. The Women’s Department, the National Committee for Women and Children and the National Women’s Commission implements and/or advises the Government on gender-related issues, gender-based violence reduction and ensures gender mainstreaming in all aspects of planning for development, as well as, to ensure compliance with various gender-related international conventions. • The Ministries of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture; Health; and Human Development, along with regional and international partners, are collaborating on addressing cross-cutting issues, highlighting priority areas, building capacity and improving data collection systems. • The National Gender Policy was revised in 2013, to take actions and ensure advancements in the areas of: health; education and skills training; wealth and employment creation; power and decision-making; reduce violence producing conditions. The implementation of the policy led to the creation of a Gender Integration Committee comprised of Government and civil society agencies and the appointment of a Gender Focal Point in each Ministry.

SDG #14: Life Below Water Achievements: • The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plan was finalized and endorsed in 2016. The aim of the plan is to recommend actions that will ensure sustainable coastal resource use by balancing conservation practices with economic and social needs. • Managed Access (MA) was piloted in two marine protected areas, then rolled out across territorial waters in 2016. MA aims to build good stewardship and improve fishing practices by establishing nine fisheries management areas. • The Fisheries Resource Bill has been drafted and is awaiting enactment. A Task Force representing the government, private sector and civil society was established to advise the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration [MAFFESDI] on sustainable fisheries practices.

III. Main Challenges Encountered and Areas of Progress 16

Main Challenges The main challenges to date are: • Political adoption of the SDG Agenda has not been fully embraced at all levels and sectors required to move the process effectively; • Existing processes for data collection, interpretation, standardization, management and dissemination are inadequate to properly monitor and evaluate the SDGs; • Economic downturn over the past year has necessitated budget cuts which have restricted the government’s ability to finance the implementation of programs to meet SDG commitments. • Ineffective collaboration and coordination, between and among, institutions, agencies, and non-governmental stakeholders responsible for implementation.

Areas of Progress The main areas of progress to date are: • Institutional framework for the operationalization of the SDGs, both at the political/governance and technical levels, has been established through the formation of the Sustainable Development Unit of the MAFFESDI and the subsequent activation of Technical Committees and Working Tables; • The GSDS as the medium term national integrated development strategy, incorporates the principles and priorities of the SDGs, creating synergizes within, and among, national implementation agencies; •

The GSDS Monitoring and Evaluation Framework has been developed;

• Statistical Institute of Belize, in recognition of data systems shortcomings, has embarked on a program to enhance its capacity to act as the central repository for GSDS and SDG statistics. • The adoption of program budgeting by GOB is a critical first step in ensuring that SDG commitments are achieved.

IV. Stakeholder Involvement /Consultation The development of the GSDS had extensive citizen participation including Civil Society Organizations, Academia, and Statutory Agencies. The integration of the National Poverty Elimination Strategy and Action Plan and National Sustainable Development Strategy was a result of stakeholder consultations. The GSDS Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, includes participation of civil society organizations at the Technical Committee level, Working Table and Economic and Sustainable Council. SDGs and GSDS activities, particularly capacity building and training sessions, makes provisions for extensive citizen participation. V. Means of Implementation Governance Structure •

The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet authorizes and endorses the GSDS.

• The CEO Caucus, provides the next level of oversight. It is tasked with the responsibility of prioritization, coordination, synchronization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the GSDS. 17

• In line with five Critical Success Factors of the GSDS, five Technical Committees will be established to ensure systemic integration: a) Optimal National Income and Investment Committee, b) Social Cohesion and Resilience Committee, c) Natural Environmental, Historical and Cultural Assets Committee, d) Governance and e) Citizen Security Committee. • The Economic and Sustainable Development Council, a senior leadership advisory body appointed by the Prime Minister, provides input on priorities and implementation. It serves as a platform for public and private sector and civil society dialogue.

Resource Mobilization for Implementation of GSDS Implementation of the GSDS will require significant resources. Consequently, four broad approaches will be pursued to mobilize financial, human and material resources: •

Strategy 1: Expenditure Management

•

Strategy 2: Enhancing Revenue Generation

•

Strategy 3: Improving Financing Options

• Strategy 4: Better Partnerships with the Development Community and Donor Coordination

Benin [Originally submitted in French and translated to English by the Secretariat]

Following the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in September 2015, Benin immediately began to take ownership of them. A road map setting out various activities was drawn up. It is being implemented in an inclusive and participatory manner, bringing together government agencies, municipal councillors, local elected officials, parliamentarians, civil society, the media and the private sector. In addition to national stakeholders, the other parties involved are technical and financial partners, primarily from the United Nations system, and bilateral partners. The 2017 session of the high-level political forum on sustainable development is an opportunity for Benin to inform the international community of the progress it has made. Raising awareness of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals In order to engage all stakeholders in a predictable process of taking ownership of the Sustainable Development Goals, a high-level seminar on the Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change was held in September 2016, with a view to reflecting on the global processes that Benin is involved in, raising awareness of these processes among key development actors, and establishing and approving a full programme for taking ownership of the Goals. The process of taking ownership began with an awareness-raising phase, which is still under way and consists of the provision of information, and also education and communication, aimed at raising awareness of the Goals among the various stakeholders in Benin.

18

Establishment of thematic working groups In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the Government has established an institutional framework structured around four thematic groups (on social, economic, environmental and governance issues). The thematic groups are organized around focal points responsible for planning and programming in the line ministries and benefit from the participation of all kinds of actors, such as local elected officials, parliamentarians, civil society, the private sector, institutions and opinion leaders. The framework is overseen by the Directorate General for the Coordination and Monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals, which reports directly to the Minister of State for Planning and Development. This system illustrates the Government’s commitment and determination to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Assessment of the incorporation of the Sustainable Development Goals into public policies and strategies In order to establish a frame of reference for effective development planning based on the Sustainable Development Goals, Benin carried out an integrated and rapid assessment of the incorporation of the Goals into national policies and strategies. The assessment revealed that, on average, 60 to 70 per cent of the targets set out in the Goals had been incorporated into national policies and strategies. Prioritization and contextualization of the Sustainable Development Goal targets and indicators Following the assessment referred to above and the prioritization of the Goals, 49 priority targets were identified for Benin. The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal indicators has also made it possible to establish a baseline for the indicators that relate to the priority targets. Development of change-enabling strategies Working in an inclusive and participatory manner, the thematic groups have set out to identify, using theory-of-change methodology, factors and strategies for accelerating change. The aim is to identify key measures with a strong catalytic effect that will help to remove any bottlenecks that might hinder the country’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Particular emphasis has been placed on the context and prospects for Goals 1, 2, 3, 5, 9 and 14, which will be reviewed at the 2017 high-level political forum. Identification of key challenges The process of preparing the present voluntary national review highlighted a number of major challenges, including: • The availability of indicators of progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the disaggregation of such indicators •

The issue of financing to help achieve the Goals

• The need to adapt the planning system in line with the requirement to achieve results in relation to the Goals.

19

Botswana [Originally submitted in English]

1.0. INTRODUCTION Botswana has embraced sustainable development as its development approach, and is fully committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, its principles, goals, targets and indicators. This report provides an overview of Botswana’s progress in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since their adoption, with a particular focus on the theme - “Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity in a Changing World”. This report has been prepared with the full participation of Government, private sector, civil society, local authorities, development partners, UN, academia and other interest groups. Data was collected through workshops, focus group discussions, key informer interviews and literature reviews. The main report will highlight the positive experience to date and the challenges encountered in the efforts made to eradicate poverty. 2.0. BOTSWANA DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT AND THE SDGS Botswana’s economy rose from being one of the poorest in the world at independence in 1966 to an upper-middle income status in the 1990s. This result was due to the discovery of diamonds and the government’s good management of this resource together with the focus on developing Botswana as a democratic state. The focus of the country’s development for the past five decades has centered on four key pillars being i.e. Sustainable Environment, Rapid Economic Growth, Economic Independence and Social Justice. These are much akin to the dimensions of Sustainable Development and laid the foundation for a seamless transition to adopting the SDG agenda. Through the implementation of her national development frameworks Botswana made big strides in terms of economic growth and at one point was the fastest growing economy in the world. However, the capital-intensive nature of diamond mining, its vulnerability to external shocks and the exhaustible nature of the commodity created an economy with structural rigidities that restricted significant employment generation. Government’s major shareholding in diamond mining, increased its revenues significantly through diamond export earnings. Consequently, this allowed the government to invest heavily in development projects and recurrent expenditure. This constrained private sector growth which itself is heavily dependent on Government spending. Unfortunately, this fast economic growth did not provide the many jobs expected. Rather it contributed to the growth of high income inequality and poverty levels not befitting an upper-middle income economy. Given this development, Botswana embarked on a programme to address these inequalities and especially poverty reduction. Within this context the SDGs are very relevant to Botswana. 3.0. TOWARDS SDGS IMPLEMENTATION Botswana’s SDGs implementation process can be captured in four distinct phases as follows: First, the process began with a strong campaign to ensure ownership of SDGs at all levels. Second, the goals were integrated into national development frameworks, programs and sector plans. Third, institutional mechanisms were established for their effective coordination. . Fourth, a plan of action (Roadmap) to rollout SDGs was approved. Simultaneously, the country embarked on developing a sustainable development framework that will set out how the country will implement all its programmes using a sustainable development approach. 20

3.1 Creating Ownership at all levels: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has been promoted through awareness campaigns undertaken for the Government, Local Authorities, Civil Society, Academia, Parliament and Development Partners. The roll out of the pilot programme for Mainstreaming Acceleration and Policy Support (MAPS) and the private sector-oriented initiatives have also assisted in this process. The SDGs have also been translated into the local language by civil society. Several private sector entities are embracing the SDGs either as part of their existing business sustainability strategy processes or as a deliberate response to the local and global SDGs awareness campaigns. These include the Botswana Stock Exchange (signed up for the UN Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiatives), the Green Building Council (brings together players in the construction industry to promote sustainable buildings and reduce carbon emissions), Debswana (developed a sustainability strategy and mapped SDGs on their value chains) and some financial institutions. 3.2 Alignment of SDGs with the National Vision and National Development Plans Botswana’s overall approach is that its development frameworks should drive Sustainable Development. Therefore, Botswana underwent a lengthy consultation process in the development of its national Vision 2036 (2017-2036), National Development Plan 11 (2017-2023) – and the associated District and Urban Development Plans, to ensure that these key documents were aligned to the SDGs. Both Vision 2036 and NDP 11 were formulated at the same time that the SDGs were being finalized, giving Botswana the opportunity to embrace them at planning stages. Consequently, NDP 11’s overall theme of “Inclusive Growth for the Realization of Sustainable Employment Creation and Poverty Eradication” seeks to capture the spirit of the SDG agenda, acknowledging the “development challenges facing the country, and the need to align the focus of the Plan with global, continental and regional initiatives.” The stated national priorities of NDP 11 mirror those of Vision 2036 and very closely relate to the SDG agenda. These are: (i) Developing diversified sources of economic growth; (ii) Human capital development; (iii) Social development; (iv) Sustainable use of national resources; and (v) Implementation of an effective monitoring and evaluation system. Similarly, Vision 2036 is also anchored on the principles of Sustainable Development, and is committed to align its implementation to the SDGs. In addition, prior to the SDGs adoption in 2015, Botswana initiated a broad-based consultation around defining what sustainable development means for the country. This led to developing a draft National Framework for Sustainable Development. The framework defines a broad-based approach to sustainable development and the building blocks for Botswana’s transition to a sustainable development pathway including the domestication of the SDGs. This sustainable development approach was adopted as the guiding approach in NDP11 and Vision 2036. Through the leadership of the national statistics office, Statistics Botswana, the country has mapped all SDGs indicators relevant and measurable in Botswana, and aligned them to the country’s Vision 2036, NDP11 and the African Union Agenda 2063. The country is now on course to compile a full baseline of those indicators that are applicable and whose data is readily available 3.3. Institutional Mechanisms for SDG Coordination Given the importance of SDGs, the country established a National Steering Committee (NSC). The NSC drives policy agenda and is co-chaired by the Government and the United 21

Nations. Its membership is derived from Government, Private sector, Development Partners, Youth Groups, National Assembly, Ntlo ya Dikgosi (formerly House of Chiefs), Civil Society Organizations, Trade Unions and other Non-State Actors. At a technical level the NSC is assisted by a Technical Task Force (TTF) whose membership is also multi-sectoral. These committees are serviced by SDGs Secretariat in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) supported by the UN. The SDG rollout process will be further supported by four Thematic Working Groups (TWGs). These are (i) Economy and Employment, (ii) Social Upliftment, (iii) Sustainable Environment, and (iv) Governance, Safety and Security. Each TWG comprises a cluster of related sectors whose membership is derived from state and non-state actors. For data and progress tracking, Statistics Botswana is the institutional entity charged with the responsibility to set up a system that aligns the SDGs indicators with the NDP11 and Vision 2036 indicators as well as monitor progress in SDGs implementation in conjunction with the National Strategy Office (NSO). 3.4. The SDGs Roadmap Following the adoption of the 2030 agenda, the NSC put together a National SDGs Roadmap. The document provides a coherent and well-coordinated approach to the implementation of the SDGs. It identifies broad areas to be covered in the medium to long term. The Roadmap sets out three areas of focus; (i) Coordination, Ownership and Leadership; (ii) Implementation, building on existing structures; and (iii) Data and progress tracking and reporting. It also includes a plan of action for the next five years which will be broken down into annual workplans. 4.0. STATUS OF SELECTED SDGS IN BOTSWANA RELATED TO POVERTY Botswana’s Voluntary National review (VNR) will focus on SDG 1: End Poverty in all its forms everywhere. The goal on ending poverty is also related to several other goals through forward and backward linkages i.e. eradication of poverty drives other SDGs while ending poverty also depends on progress made in other goals. This report therefore reflects these linkages, and, in addition to SDG 1, it will set out progress in SDGs 2, 3, 5, 9 and 17. SDG1: Poverty Eradication through Economic Growth- the Botswana Experience Background Progress towards SDG 1 started way before the era of the SDGs. The country managed to reduce its head count poverty rate from 47 percent in 1993 to 30.6 percent 2002/3 and further down to 19.3 percent in 2009/10 (Botswana Core Welfare Indicator Survey, 2009/10). Poverty incidence decreased faster in rural areas than it did in cities and towns. However, this poverty level is still high for a middle-income country. Botswana’s Gini coefficient decreased from 64.7 to 60.9 during the same period, but remains high. Botswana’s shared prosperity rate, measured by the growth rate of the per capita consumption level of lowest 40th percentile of the population, stands at 4.9 percent, above the global median of 3.9 percent, and higher than those of South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mauritius. Key Interventions Supporting SDG 1 Botswana’s flagship programme towards SDG 1 is the Poverty Eradication Programme (PEP), introduced in 2010, with the objective of economically empowering the poor and to capacitate beneficiaries to live a dignified life. It targets those with monthly income of less than P300 (US$30) per month, destitute persons, people living with disabilities, orphans and vulnerable individuals, thus assisting them to graduate from extreme poverty. This is done through sustainable income generation projects and employment creation initiatives, capacity building and skills development and the provision of social services for daily survival.

22

SDG2: Ending Hunger and Increasing Access to Nutrition and Linkages to Poverty Background While the Government of Botswana had declared the country free of hunger, malnutrition still remains a challenge particularly in rural areas. . Botswana has experienced a slight improvement in Under Five malnutrition levels. Underweight rates decreased from 13.9 percent in 2007 to 13.1 percent in 2014. Stunting decreased from 25.9 percent to 21 percent while wasting fell from 7.6 percent to 7.3 percent (Botswana Family Health Survey, 2007; Determinants of Malnutrition Survey, 2014). Key Interventions Supporting SDG 2 Botswana is implementing several interventions to address malnutrition. These include the School Feeding Programme, the Letlhafula Programme and the Vulnerable Group Program. An average of 95 percent of beneficiaries registered under these programmes are supported on monthly basis, making the poor and vulnerable families to be food secure. These programmes have introduced food baskets with locally-sourced foods, enhancing their multiplier effects. SDG 3: Ending Poverty and Ensuring Healthy Lives and Well-being Background The main health issues under SDG 3 in Botswana are Maternal mortality, HIV and TB related deaths, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and substance abuse, but there is lack of data that links them to income status. The country has achieved a significant reduction in Mother to Child transmission of HIV. One of the key challenges Botswana faces in promoting healthy lives and well-being is inability to significantly reduce maternal mortality, perpetuated through-out the MDGs era. This is still a challenge in the advent of the SDGs. Almost all (99 percent) maternal deaths in Botswana occur in health facilities. Deaths arising from abortion account for only 15 percent of the total maternal deaths. While poverty is hard to pin to these deaths, maternal mortality could increase poverty levels where a single mother dies leaving children without income. It should be noted that 64.4 percent of women who died between 2012 and 2014 were single mothers, most of whom left orphaned children in poverty. Key Interventions Supporting SDG 3 Botswana has adopted a primary health care and social determinants approach to health, which addresses causes and cost cutting measures across sectors to improve universal health coverage, leverage resource efficiencies and innovative financing to reduce the cost burden on families and the economy, leaving no one behind. The country has adopted a multipronged multi-sectoral approach to NCDs which is anticipated to reduce the economic burden on families in due course. In 2016, Botswana launched the HIV “Treat All Strategy” that promotes universal health coverage and ensures that all those who test positive get treatment no matter their viral load or CD 4 count. SDG 5: Gender Equality and Poverty Background Most of the poor households in Botswana are female headed, creating a strong link between gender and poverty. Gender-based violence (GBV) is still a challenge for Botswana, with a prevalence rate of 67 percent. Furthermore, national HIV/AIDS prevalence is skewed towards women, with the 2013 rate amongst women standing at 19.2 percent and 14.1 percent for men (Botswana AIDS Impact Survey, 2013). This differential could be a result of women being exposed to violence related sex. The ratio of women in Parliament and Cabinet are 10 percent and 17 percent respectively, while 47 percent of senior government positions (Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Director and Head of Department) are occupied by women. On the other hand, women occupy 30 percent of senior positions in the private sector and parastatals (CEOs, Management and Board of Directors). This is partly due to the gender parity achieved at all levels of education prior to the MDGs era. 23

Key Interventions Supporting SDG 5 Botswana has made significant progress in uplifting the status of women in the society and enhancing their access to economic opportunities through various policy instruments and programmes. For instance, the government passed a Domestic Violence Act and developed a National Strategy for ending Gender Based Violence (2016-2020). The Dikgosi (Chiefs) Action Plan for Mainstreaming Gender into Customary Justice System and Addressing GBV was also developed. The main national framework is the National Policy, Strategy and Operational Plan on Gender and Development providing policy direction, strategic orientation and establishing linkages with other strategic frameworks. Institutionally, Botswana has elevated the gender mandate from departmental to ministerial level. Other efforts include capacity development of legal practitioners, law enforcement officers and traditional leaders on gender sensitive case management. Furthermore, capacity development of health and psycho-social support providers on gender sensitive management of GVB cases and the ongoing National GBV National Study all add to major breakthroughs in awareness. SDG 9: Ending Poverty through Resilient Infrastructure, Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization and Innovation Background The Botswana Government acknowledges that infrastructure contributes to employment creation and poverty alleviation through employment generated during its construction phase and through the facilitative role it renders to other production activities. The ageing of existing infrastructure is acknowledged in NDP 11. The country has made significant progress towards improving its infrastructure, particularly in the road, water and sanitation sectors, and has increased rural access to power and mobile telephone sectors (World Bank, 2011). Inadequate infrastructure in tourism, agriculture and Information and Communication Technology is however a significant impediment to economic growth and poverty alleviation. Key Interventions Supporting SDG 9 The Government has decided that during NDP 11 it will place emphasis on maintenance and upgrading of existing infrastructure. The bulk of the NDP11 infrastructure budget focuses on water, energy, tourism, agriculture, education and health. Botswana will use the Industrial Development Policy (2014) to establish diversified and sustainable industries which will beneficiate locally available materials. Through the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) initiative,‘youth, women farmers and small scale manufacturers’ will have access to markets. The Public Private Partnerships (PPP) business model proved to be viable for some of these major projects. SDG 17: Ending Poverty through Strengthening Means of Implementation and Revitalization of Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development Background Botswana success in reducing poverty can be attributed to the many Government subsidies including the agriculture sector. However, any slight shock to the economy due to internal or external factors significantly reduces the Government’s ability to support such subsidies, leading to a reversal in terms of achievements made in poverty reduction. At the same time, the upper-middle income status of the country limits its ability to access external grants (estimated at 5 percent of the NDP 11 budget). Key Interventions Supporting SDG 17 Botswana aims to access available global resources more through non-financial sources such as South-South and North-South cooperation mainly for skills, knowledge and technology transfers drawing from technology banks and personnel experiences. The country has established institutions and infrastructure through which it can access and adapt to such 24

technology. These include the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH), Botswana Technology Centre (BOTEC), the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) together with other local institutions of higher learning. Private sector growth and participation in the implementation of the SDGs will be key to poverty eradication, but requires conducive policy environment and genuine partnerships with government and non-state actors. Government-business platforms such as the High Level Consultative Council (HLCC) chaired by the President, are key entry points for SDGs partnerships. On the policy front, the Botswana Government has created a conducive macroeconomic environment to encourage local and foreign private sector investment. These include the Trade Policy for Botswana (2009). The country has also set up the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) aimed at attracting investment and promoting exports. Initiatives to promote economic activity and foreign investment in specific areas include the establishment of hubs to promote economic growth in the agriculture, diamond, education, health and transportation sectors. Additional investment opportunities in Botswana include large water, electricity, transportation, and telecommunication infrastructure, where possible utilizing the PPP approach. 5.0 CONCLUSION Botswana has undertaken significant steps to ensure government and citizens are aware of what SDGs are all about. The government has developed a national Vision (20162036) that is aligned to SDGs. The National Development Plan 11 (2017 – 2023) is also aligned to SDGs. Many sector plans are now beginning to integrate SDGs. A national structure was established to coordinate SDGs implementation to ensure an “all of government approach” to SDGs and a Roadmap for their rollout has been developed. There is a recognition that the SDGs are not the business of government alone, but involve all players, including the private sector and all communities. The main challenges the government face are related to the shortage of financial resources and the absence of high quality disaggregated data that can enable it to design targeted programmes to address poverty. Nonetheless, the building blocks for Botswana to increase the pace of SDGs implementation not only for poverty but for all other goals, are firmly in place.

Brazil [Originally submitted in English]

The aim of the present Voluntary National Review is to provide information on the Brazilian preparation process and the strategies for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda as of September 2015, when the Federal government committed in the United Nations General Assembly to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and their targets. Initially, information that depicts Brazilian reality is provided based on social, economic and environmental data. The Report then outlines the steps that the country has taken towards the development of strategies for the internalization and localization of the 2030 Agenda. Chapter 4 presents a study on the convergence between the Federal government's planning instrument, public policy implementation and the SDGs targets. By analyzing the relation between the programmes, goals, targets and initiatives of the 2016-2019 Pluriannual Plan and the 169 targets of the Sustainable Development Goals it became possible to identify

25

the current alignment between the 2030 Agenda and the Federal government's main planning instrument. In light of the challenges posed by the new Agenda, the Report highlights the creation of the National Commission for the Sustainable Development Goals, the main institutional governance mechanism for fostering dialogue, engagement and integration of the initiatives carried out by subnational entities and civil society. The aim of the Commission is to internalize, disseminate and ensure the transparency of the 2030 Agenda implementation process. The initiatives carried out by civil society, subnational governments, the Legislative branch and external control institutions are subsequently discussed. In order to draft Chapter 6, several actors were invited to share their experiences regarding the new Agenda. Their valuable contributions underscore the range and plurality of initiatives currently underway in support of the SDGs. In order to establish a basis for the follow-up of the SDGs targets proposed by the 2030 Agenda, the relevant global role played by Brazil in the discussions regarding the formulation of global indicators is highlighted, in addition to the process of definition of national indicators. In accordance with the central theme of the 2017 High-Level Political Forum –, Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world –, Chapter 8 discusses the results achieved by Brazil in recent years and the efforts of the current government regarding SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 14 and 17. In the social dimension, progress made towards eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring healthy lives, and promoting gender equality is presented in the Report. In the economic dimension, the Report underscores actions that promote greater fiscal discipline and the expansion of investments in infrastructure, which are among the main challenges faced by the Brazilian government. In the environmental realm, it is highlighted that the Brazilian energy mix continues to be one of the cleanest in the world. The diversification of the country's energy sources and the increase in the proportion of renewable sources, as well as an approach for greater efficiency in the sector, comprise an essential strategy from both the economic and environmental perspectives and directly addresses the Goals of the 2030 Agenda. In addition to the short-term challenges that the country has been facing and overcoming, particularly in the economic dimension with the structural reforms introduced by the Government and currently under discussion and approval by the Legislative branch, there are many other challenges that need to be faced in the medium-term and long-term, such as guaranteeing, improving and expanding recent achievements and advancing towards new ones. The next steps to be taken as outlined in this Report are aimed at better public administration, ranging from the production of statistics to the implementation of sectorial programmes, from governance practice to engaging networks of actors, as well as optimizing public spending. This first Voluntary National Review outlines the main challenges we have before us, which will guide the planning and monitoring of Brazilian public policies over the coming years. This document is an initial assessment of the country and the challenges to be faced towards the eradication of poverty and the promotion of a more prosperous and sustainable Brazil.

26

Chile [Originally submitted in Spanish and translated to English by the Secretariat]

Chile reaffirms its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, which require the engagement of all actors to ensure that no one is left behind. With the creation of the National Council for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, composed of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Business Development and Tourism, the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of the Environment, progress has been made in establishing, disseminating and developing a national study relating to the Sustainable Development Goals in order to identify public policies and private initiatives that could contribute to their implementation, and also address gaps and challenges. A government network for the Sustainable Development Goals has been developed, and committees and working groups composed of public institutions, the private sector, civil society, academia and United Nations system organizations have been established. Other notable initiatives include awareness-raising workshops, national and regional dialogues hosted by the Government and the “Dialogues for a Sustainable Chile” organized by civil society. In addition, public-private dialogues were conducted through civil society councils, including the National Indigenous Council and the Council of Social Responsibility for Sustainable Development of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. As a middle-income country, a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and one of the most open economies in the world, Chile faces significant long-term challenges: reaching sustainable and inclusive development; reducing poverty and inequality; addressing climate change; and strengthening democratic institutions. Chile reaffirms the integrality, indivisibility, universality and equal importance of the Sustainable Development Goals, which must be implemented as a shared responsibility between the State, civil society and economic actors in order to achieve sustainable economic and social development within the framework of inclusive economic growth; decent and productive work; the protection and promotion of human rights, through non-fragmented, redistributive policies with an emphasis on social investment; and by regulating the rights of market actors and promoting social cohesion, non-discrimination and environmental sustainability. The 2030 Agenda is in line with the government programme, the previous and ongoing tax, education and labour reforms, and the expansion of the social protection system. These efforts, together with the development of strong institutions focused on indigenous peoples and youth, aim to reduce inequalities, protect rights and strengthen inclusion. In the social sphere, income poverty has decreased to 11.7 per cent of the population (as at 2015) according to the national calculation method, and to 0.3 per cent according to the international calculation method. However, 20.9 per cent of the population experiences multidimensional poverty and marked income inequality persists. Consequently, comprehensive and cross-cutting efforts are required to protect, strengthen the capacities 27

and guarantee the rights of vulnerable groups — women, youth, indigenous peoples, immigrants, the elderly, persons with disabilities and homeless people — while reducing gender and geographical gaps. The Productivity, Innovation and Growth Agenda focuses on diversifying the production matrix, developing high-potential sectors, democratizing entrepreneurship and innovation, and increasing the productivity and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises. The Council of Social Responsibility for Sustainable Development and the Advisory Council on Gender oversee the implementation of public policies to promote corporate and social responsibility and equality between men and women. The Gender Parity Initiative is a public-private partnership aimed at reducing the economic gender gap. The Promotion Project focuses on ensuring greater representation of women in high-level leadership roles in private businesses. The national environmental policy establishes conditions and incentives to strengthen sustainability by ensuring quality of life, environmental equity and ecosystem protection, as well as by promoting a green growth strategy through the national action plan on climate change, the national programme for sustainable consumption, and production and marketbased instruments for environmental management. Further efforts which focus on the expansion of protected areas include a national biodiversity strategy, the legislative process to establish a Division for Biodiversity and Protected Areas, the Recycling Promotion Act and new plans to combat atmospheric pollution in cities. The environmental impact evaluation system, the promotion of local environmental management and the strategic environmental assessment are advancing sustainable territorial management. The Environmental Training Academy and the network of environmental education centres are also contributing to progress in this area. Access to justice and the strengthening of institutions, democracy and citizen participation are prerequisites for inclusive and sustainable development. In that connection, the Probity and Transparency Agenda reflects the commitment of Chile to improving the quality of public policy and activities. In conclusion, Chile reaffirms its commitment to revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development and global governance mechanisms in pursuit of a peaceful, just and inclusive society free from violence.

Costa Rica [Originally submitted in Spanish and translated to English by the Secretariat]

Introduction On 9 September 2016, Costa Rica became the first country to sign a “national pact” for the Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations system and the national Office of the Ombudsman were honorary witnesses to the signature of this commitment to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on the part of the three branches of Government, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, public universities, local governments and the business sector. The pact represented a critical consensus on the goal of leaving no one behind. 28

Adaptation of national frameworks and establishment of a governance structure Under the 2015-2018 national development plan, the executive branch set out programmes and projects corresponding to each of the Sustainable Development Goals, indicating the resources allocated for each project and the institutions responsible for their implementation. In addition, on the basis of an analysis of public policies and a study of statistical capacities, three priorities were established: combating poverty; achieving sustainable production and consumption; and building resilient infrastructure and sustainable communities. Moreover, in order to ensure adequate monitoring of progress towards the Goals, a governance structure with various participants was established at four levels: political coordination; steering and technical expertise; coordination and implementation; and consultation and accountability. Progress in implementing specific Sustainable Development Goals Costa Rica is working to implement the 2030 Agenda through an integrated and multidimensional approach to development whereby it seeks to address the obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals from a multisectoral perspective. Under Goal 1, “Ending poverty,” key initiatives have been undertaken, including the “Bridge to Development” strategy, the incorporation of a multidimensional poverty indicator and the organization of collective dialogues on poverty eradication. To address Goal 2, “Zero hunger,” training activities have been established relating to food security, employability and rural development. Under Goal 3, “Good health and well-being,” 10 strategies have been developed for the management of mental, sexual and physical health, in addition to water sanitation programmes. Under Goal 5, “Gender equality,” strategies have been developed to reduce inequality, address and prevent violence, and protect sexual and reproductive rights. The adjustments that the Government is making to the national childcare and child development network are particularly noteworthy in this regard. To implement Goal 9, “Industry, innovation and infrastructure,” 13 Government initiatives have been established to promote technology, develop infrastructure and manage risk. Lastly, under Goal 14, “Submarine life,” 14 initiatives have been developed to improve the sustainable management of marine resources. Mechanisms to support ownership by national actors Institutions, State enterprises, public universities and local governments are currently adjusting their strategic plans and management models and establishing national committees to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Civil society organizations have created a platform to develop common strategic and policy agendas and have initiated training activities. In addition, faith-based organizations have implemented programmes for vulnerable populations and have conducted communication strategies in communities. The local network of the United Nations Global Compact in Costa Rica has also organized outreach and training for businesses and chambers of commerce. 29

Lastly, the United Nations system has played a critical role in supporting, aligning, coordinating and organizing materials, research, dialogue and technical expertise during the first two years of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Resources for implementation Costa Rica is an upper middle-income country that is facing a sharply increasing fiscal deficit. Despite this challenge, in 2016 the greatest proportion of budgetary resources was allocated to sectors relating to the Sustainable Development Goals: human development and social inclusion; transportation and infrastructure; and the environment, energy, oceans and land use. Next steps The next steps proposed for the short term include establishing national targets; strengthening working groups; and consolidating the Advisory Committee of the High-level Council for the Sustainable Development Goals. Conclusions During the 2015-2017 period, Costa Rica has undertaken significant coordination efforts on the basis of a multidimensional approach in order to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. However, despite the progress made, the country faces difficulties in terms of establishing long-term strategies to tackle international and domestic challenges.

Cyprus [Originally submitted in English]

The Republic of Cyprus’ national voluntary review on implementation of Agenda2030 offers an overview of progress so far, in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Cyprus. It outlines the main priorities and planning in a process of incorporation of the SDGs in national policies and the activities of government and non-government sectors towards this direction, as well as Cyprus’ international activity towards promotion of priority SDGs. It also describes the efforts towards generating institutional and civil society ownership of the effort to implement Agenda 2030. The review presents the results of a preliminary analysis and mapping exercise on Cyprus’ current progress, identifies challenges and outlines next steps. It describes the institutional framework set up to work on this mapping and illustrates the present situation for each of the SDGs, highlighting progress already made, related government or EU policies and challenges faced. A statistical annex is also included. The compilation of the review was coordinated by the Department of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is to be presented to the Council of Ministers for information and formal approval. Institutional mechanism 30

Cyprus’ institutional mechanism for the implementation of Agenda 2030 is comprised mainly of Ministries and other governmental services, such as the Statistical Service, under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A relevant line Ministry has been assigned as coordinator for each one of the 17 Goals. A mapping exercise was initiated at the end of 2016, aiming to define stakeholders, national or EU strategies and indicators, if applicable, for each of the targets. Meanwhile, the Cypriot Statistical Service gathered all indicators available. Priorities were set based on the government priorities as well as on horizontal focal areas, such as youth. Upon the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a process has been launched for indicating the most appropriate coordinator for SDGs implementation at domestic policy level. Due to institutional transformations occurring in the past year, under the restructuring of the public service and the possible creation of State Ministries -still under discussion in the House of Representatives- the coordination of both the domestic and the foreign policy aspects of the SDGs, as well as communicating and coordinating with the civil society, remained under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation, where relevant, with line Ministries. Integration of sustainable development issues and the three dimensions in the national framework: The Republic of Cyprus’ sustainable development policy Cyprus faced a deep, unprecedented economic crisis that reached its peak in 2013. It was, therefore, essential to focus on short-run difficulties of the various affected groups and measures to address them, which led to an inevitable focus on the economic and social dimensions of policies. Legislation or other policies already exist for most SDGs and targets, through national and European strategies. Moreover, the structural and institutional reforms promoted, especially in the public sector, the health system and other sectors, aspire to lead breakthrough systemic transformations, aiming at creating employment and enhanced governance, transparency, competitiveness, as well as more efficient service provision to citizens, including with the further development of e-government. The mapping exercise indicated the absence of a horizontal strategy covering all three dimensions of sustainable development. In its place, strategic programming, albeit short to medium-term one, and other actions, cover most, if not all, of the SDGs. The review outlines the Republic of Cyprus’ priorities (mainly SDGs 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, as well as SDGs 4 and 14) and the policies involved in achieving them. Cyprus’ international activity in promoting SDG implementation is also described. Enabling environment Following an extensive promotion, during 2015, of the various dimensions of sustainable development to the Cypriot public, an effort undertaken in the framework of the European Year for Development by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Cypriot NGOs, the Cypriot civil society carried out numerous projects, promoting all or specific SDGs. Engagement with the private sector is mainly undertaken by the Directorate General for European Programs, Coordination and Development, in the context of promotion of Corporate Social Responsibility and in cooperation with many other stakeholders. The House of Representatives’ Committee for the Environment has initiated parliamentary discussions on Agenda 2030, by requesting an informative session with the SDGs Coordinator (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) on Cyprus’ progress in SDGs achievement. More activity is expected to follow in all areas of cooperation, including towards engagement of the local authorities in the process of Agenda 2030 implementation. Status of implementation of the SDGs in Cyprus: progress and challenges

31

Progress is observed in all the SDGs, while planning is already in place for most of them, especially the priority ones, through all the line policies. The Republic of Cyprus takes pride in its success in achieving a number of targets at a 100% level, many of them in the framework of SDG 3. Best practices include the provision of free and easily accessible education to everyone at all education levels, without discrimination, addressing the challenge of Cyprus’ limited water resources and supplying excellent quality of drinking water to consumers, as well as the efforts made towards combating human trafficking, by effectively enforcing new legislation and expanding the role and competences of the Police AntiTrafficking Bureau. On the international sphere, Cyprus actively promotes international cooperation on issues such as the protection of cultural property and regional cooperation for the protection from marine pollution. Concerning progress foreseen, there has been an upward trend in the use of renewable sources of energy, while steps are being taken towards a more sustainable tourism product. Being at the initial stages of implementation of Agenda 2030, it is obvious that there is more work to be done to fully achieve the SDGs. Main challenges for Cyprus include, among others, addressing a high public debt and a relatively high unemployment rate after the economic crisis, the low contribution of the agricultural sector in the GDP, energy dependency on imported sources, under-representation of women in political and public life, the need for a sustainable consumption policy, a high percentage of non-attainment in mathematics, science and reading and the need to increase Official Development Assistance to reach the desired level. Next steps The process for Cyprus has been initiated with the mapping exercise and the preparation of the current review. Next steps include the assignment of a coordinator for the implementation of Agenda 2030 at domestic level, with the competency to overview future strategies and effectively incorporate the SDGs. Remaining indicators will be selected in collaboration with the Statistical Service, and benchmarks and targets will be set by the competent authorities. In the meantime, Cyprus will continue to participate in defining and implementing the future EU 2030 agenda as well as in relevant international events. In the framework of reinforcing activity and cooperation between all stakeholders and as follow up to the online survey organized by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education and Culture on SDGs priorities, an extensive public information campaign will commence. More involvement of the House of Representatives is also expected in 2017. Engagement of local authorities is also considered a necessary step towards creating ownership and involvement of the totality of the Cypriot society.

Czech Republic [Originally submitted in English]

The Czech Republic’s Voluntary National Review provides information on the process of implementing the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the national level. It focuses mainly on outlining the national objectives and vision to be achieved by the year 2030. In addition, it also analyses the starting points for implementation in six key areas.

32

The structure of the review builds on the strategic framework Czech Republic 2030, which was adopted by the Government in April 2017 and will serve as the main implementation platform for the SDGs in the Czech Republic. Czech Republic 2030 defines long-term objectives not only in the social, environmental and economic pillars of sustainable development, but also in governance, global development and regions and municipalities. It sets forth 97 specific goals aimed at improving people’s wellbeing, while respecting the principles of sustainable development. The document will serve as an overarching framework for sectoral, regional and local strategies. The selection and adoption of specific measures will be carried out by the relevant public administration bodies and supported by the activities of non-state stakeholders. The division into six key areas (People and Society, Economy, Resilient Ecosystems, Regions and Municipalities, Global Development and Good Governance) is based on an expert analysis, which was carried out in the initial stage of the preparation of the document. The sustainable development agenda is coordinated at the national level by the Government Council on Sustainable Development (GCSD), chaired by the Prime Minister. The work of the GCSD is supported by its Secretariat in the Sustainable Development Department of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic. Work on the strategic framework Czech Republic 2030 started in 2015 and has been carried out in cooperation with hundreds of experts and stakeholders gathered in the GCSD and its nine thematic Committees. Analysis of the relevance of the SDGs in the national context shows that all the SDGs and most of the targets of the 2030 Agenda are applicable at the national level. While none of the SDGs have been fully accomplished, each goal contains areas where the Czech Republic scores well and which can be considered as strengths. Examples of such strengths and weaknesses (i.e. targets where progress has not been satisfactory) are showcased in each key area in order to provide a balanced and a deeper insight into the current state of implementation of selected SDGs.

The Czech approach to the 2030 Agenda implementation builds on two important concepts: sustainable development and wellbeing. In order to consider development beyond the scope of GDP and economic growth, progress in the implementation of the Czech Republic

33

2030 strategic framework will be measured using indicators related to its specific goals and indicators focusing on different aspects of quality of life and wellbeing. The selection of strengths and weaknesses outlined in the report is based on the above- or below-OECD-average score in the respective SDG analysed in the OECD Pilot Study Measuring Distance to SDGs Targets (2017). Due to a lack of available data for all the SDG targets, these examples must be considered as merely indicative. Despite shortcomings in the availability of data, the Voluntary National Review provided an important opportunity to re-assess national sustainable development priorities in relation to the SDGs and critically evaluate the current state of implementation. The report has been prepared with the support of the Government Council for Sustainable Development and its Committees and consulted with the relevant stakeholders. The key area People and Society mostly covers SDGs from the People (SDG 1, 3, 4, 5) and Prosperity (SDG 8 and 10) categories of the 2030 Agenda. The distance to the target values varies significantly among the available indicators. In particular, reducing poverty and the unemployment rate and combating communicable diseases are already close to the 2030 target levels. However, gender equality, non-medical determinants of health (emissions of hazardous substances, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco) as well as quality of earnings and lifelong learning opportunities are still far from the 2030 aspirations. The Prosperity (SDGs 7, 8, 9 and 10), Planet (SDGs 6 and 12) and partially also People (SDG 1) categories of the 2030 Agenda are covered in the key area Economy. The Czech economy has performed well in recent years, with GDP surpassing the pre-2008 crisis level and growth rising again. However, the energy management results are mixed: on the one hand, all households have access to modern energy facilities and the use of renewable energy is on the increase; on the other hand, there is significant room for improving energy efficiency in consumption and production. The key area Resilient Ecosystems focuses primarily on the goals and targets in the Planet category of the 2030 Agenda (SDG 6, 13, 14 and 15). With the exception of climate action, the Czech Republic is ahead of or in line with the OECD average results for every underlying goal. The results as regards protecting biodiversity and the creation of favourable conditions for terrestrial ecosystems are particularly close to the target levels. Besides the Planet goals, SDG 2, 11 and 12 are also addressed in this key area. The key area Regions and Municipalities brings a sub-national perspective to the implementation of the SDGs and provides a framework for mainstreaming sustainable development to regional and local policies. This key area touches upon all of the categories of the 2030 Agenda and achieving its vision contributes to the implementation of SDGs 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16 and 17. The Czech Republic scores above the OECD average particularly in water, sanitation and equality related targets; however, the country also faces challenges arising from regional disparities in income and the quality of the environment. The 2030 Agenda category of Partnership is covered by the key area Global Development (SDG 16 and 17), where performance is so far unbalanced. The Czech Republic aims at applying its domestic and foreign policies to promote the values and principles of global sustainable development. It traditionally supports other countries throughout their transition towards democracy and a market economy, building on its own experience. However, increased efforts will be needed in order to meet the targets set for the international commitments of Official Development Assistance. Sustainable development cannot be successfully implemented without robust institutions which are able to act coherently and draw up the appropriate policies. Achievement of SDG 16 and the systemic issues of SDG 17 is therefore a vital precondition for success in the implementation of all other goals and targets. The key area Good Governance mainly addresses the Peace category of the 2030 Agenda (SDG 16), with a special focus on challenges related to the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of public institutions.

34

However, emphasis is also placed on equality (SDG 5 and 10) and Partnership (SDG 17) to ensure that no one is left behind. Adoption of Czech Republic 2030 is followed by the preparation of its implementation plan. The document will establish adequate mechanisms to ensure compliance between the strategic and specific goals of Czech Republic 2030 and the objectives of other sectoral strategies, concepts, programmes and measures. Furthermore, work towards achieving the goals of Czech Republic 2030 will also be supported by the framework of voluntary commitments, which will allow civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders and individuals to participate in the implementation process and encourage partnerships between various sectors of society. Public institutions will continue to promote the principles of sustainable development and raise awareness about the SDGs. The compliance of sectoral and regional strategic documents, programmes and measures with Czech Republic 2030 and progress towards national goals will be monitored by the biannual analytical Report on Quality of Life and its Sustainability, prepared by the Sustainable Development Department.

Denmark [Originally submitted in English]

GOVERNMENT FOLLOW-UP ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS National Follow-up Denmark shares the vision of our world and planet in 2030 as expressed by the 2030 agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Danish government is committed to an ambitious follow-up in the national as well as international setting. It acknowledges the interdependent and holistic nature of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. The government also emphasizes the need for all actors across society to contribute to achieving the SDGs. Denmark is a frontrunner in sustainable development with a universal health care and educational system, gender equality, a generous social safety net, cooperation among social partners, responsible business, clean and efficient energy production, personal freedom and more. It reflects a long standing Danish tradition of pursuing solutions that are sustainable in the long run. National Action Plan for the SDGs The Danish government has, in accordance with the 2030 Agenda, formulated the Action Plan in light of the need to adapt targets to national circumstances. The Action Plan is centered on the 5 P’s of prosperity, people, planet, peace and part-nerships. For each of these – except partnerships which are cross cutting – the government has formulated a number of targets (37 in total). They reflect the government’s wish to prioritize building on existing positions of strength as well as on areas where improvement is needed. Each target has one or two national indicators, which are in large part measurable and quantifiable, as shown in table 1.

35

The government already assesses the economic, environmental and gender consequences of new legislation. As part of the Action Plan the government will hence-forth also assess the consequences of new legislation and major initiatives for the SDGs, when considered relevant in a Danish context and where the impact is significant. The government will present an annual progress report on the Action Plan to Parliament as well as a quadrennial status report on the Action Plan to be dis-cussed in Parliament. The Danish statistical bureau will produce a yearly statistical report to be sent to the UN as an input to the global progress report. Partnerships The Danish government is committed to developing and strengthening partner-ships as an essential part of the achievement of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. The government acknowledges and welcomes the effort of other actors in society in contributing to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The government and its respective ministers are continually looking to engage with other actors. The government is reflecting on possible modalities for a partnership platform in Denmark. Division of responsibilities The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the coordination of the national implementation of the SDGs. The policy expertise, however, are placed in the line ministries who are responsible for designing policies with attention to the SDGs, when relevant. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the EU follow-up in order to maintain a holistic approach and create linkages to the national follow-up. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the SDGs in the context of the United Nations and other international fora. The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintain a close coordination of efforts. Next Steps The Danish government will focus on the implementation and follow up of the 37 targets set forth in the Action Plan. The government will continue work on assessing new legislation on the SDGs and reflect further on a partnership plat-form. The government will also launch reflection work on the progress report on the Action Plan to be presented in 2018 for the first time. Global Engagement

36

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs shape Denmark’s global engagement, and Denmark’s foreign, trade and security policy contribute directly and indirectly to achieving the SDGs. The SDGs constitute the platform for Danish development cooperation and humanitarian action as reflected in the new strategy, “The World 2030”. Different SDGs are prioritised in different country contexts. At the same time Denmark acknowledges that the SDGs are interdependent. Denmark has since 1978 provided more than 0,7 percent of GNI in development assistance and hence lived up to the United Nations target, which continues to be a priority for the Danish government. Annex 1. Civil society, business, municipalities, youth, academics Civil society Members of the civil society platforms the Danish 92 Group and Global Focus; • Have been following the development of the SDGs closely for several years and are highly engaged and committed to the implementation of the goals in Denmark and globally. The SDGs are integrated in strategies and work plans of Danish CSOs and in their activities nationally and globally, including national awareness raising and work with different stakeholders. • Have dedicated themselves – and will contribute further – to the SDG mobilization among stakeholders in relation to policy coordination, policy recommendations and multistakeholder dialogue. Danish CSOs were the main driver behind the first multi-stakeholder meeting in Denmark. • Will continue to follow the Danish government’s delivery on its commitments towards the SDGs in Denmark closely and in Denmark’s foreign diplomatic, policy and financial engagements, including ongoing advocacy for increased ambitions in the Danish Action Plan.

Business The Danish business community welcomes and supports the SDGs. We will; •

Contribute by playing our part in achieving the goals.

•

Seek opportunities for business growth both nationally and internationally.

•

Include the goals in business priorities and business development.

•

Communicate our progress and share learnings when feasible.

•

Collaborate in partnerships with stakeholders to achieve sustainable solutions.

• Recommend the Danish Government to support responsible business and awareness about SDG’s.

Municipalities Regions and municipalities are responsible for delivering the vast majority of all public services in Denmark. Spending around 70 pct. of Denmark’s public budget, regions and municipalities are essential partners to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Danish municipalities and regions hold key roles, as; • Public authorities in the fields of social services, education, health, environment and technology. • Administrators of essential physical infrastructure and utilities as well as climate measures (CO2-reduction and adaptation). • Central facilitators of partnerships and of development and growth – both in civil society and in businesses. 37

• Developers and administrators of much of the data that can be used as indicators for achieving the SDGs. • A link between the local and the global – from citizen involvement to international development collaborations

Youth • State of youth in civil society: Danish youth organisations and CSOs working with youth enjoy an enabling space and good structural conditions, as well as a long tradition of civil involvement. This results in a wide range of activities for youth and a relatively high degree of involvement, political participation, and influence. However, there are still prospects in securing the full inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized youth. • SDG-awareness and implementation: There is relatively high awareness among Danish youth on the SDG-agenda and youth CSOs are increasingly promoting and working with the agenda. The strategic framework can be strengthened by additions to school curricula, and there remains untapped potential within the youth sector for implementing and incorporating the agenda into their organisational activities. • Monitoring and coordination: A comprehensive mechanism has yet to be developed for monitoring youth progress on the SDG agenda nationally and for coordinating efforts between youth actors within the framework of Agenda 2030.

Academic institutions • Pursue research and capacity development going beyond 'silo' thinking and focus on the links and synergies between the SDG goals and targets. • Study the trend towards rising inequality and the extent to which current policies exacerbate it. • Analyze how the SDG targets, deadlines, and a gap analysis could better inform Danish SDG implementation.

El Salvador [Originally submitted in Spanish and translated to English by the Secretariat]

El Salvador has played a proactive role in the transition from the Millennium Development Goals to the post-2015 development agenda through a series of consultations with various social groups in the lead-up to the United Nations summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, at which the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which provides a comprehensive, complete and indivisible guide to sustainable development. The Government of El Salvador therefore decided to step up its efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals by placing the 2030 Agenda at the heart of public policy and integrating it into the five-year development plan. The Government of El Salvador is promoting a process of dialogue with various actors with a view to establishing long-term development agreements that address slow economic growth, the weakness of public finances and the problems of violence and crime. At this stage, the 2030 Agenda is clearly an important instrument for dialogue and consultation.

38

There is political leadership for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the highest level in the Office of the President of the Republic, and the technical coordination of the process is led by the technical and planning secretariat of the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An implementation roadmap has been drawn up and its first step was to mainstream the Goals into the Government sector by means of a 2030 Agenda induction process in which 488 State employees received training. Furthermore, to ensure consistent implementation, an implementation team comprising officials from 70 Government institutions was set up. The national statistical information needed to generate indicators for the Goals was analysed, and that process will lead to the establishment of a framework of national alternative indicators, currently nearing completion. As a result, according to a survey of national statistical capacities for the generation of Sustainable Development Goal indicators, carried out by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, El Salvador is in third place when it comes to its ability to generate those indicators. El Salvador has prioritized nine Goals, namely, Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 16 and 17; as well as 29 targets from the other Goals. The implementation and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda requires a country-level commitment. Accordingly, the Government of El Salvador has launched a process of dialogue with the private sector and civil society with a view to increasing their involvement over the coming months. Within the framework of the high-level political forum on sustainable development, the various actors of society have been called upon to find joint, creative and innovative solutions to achieve sustainable development. The Government of El Salvador has established an alliance with the United Nations system for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through a collaboration agreement signed in 2015. Accordingly, El Salvador is one of 15 countries taking part in the accelerated implementation of the Goals and has also joined six other countries in a pilot initiative for monitoring Goal 16. The 2030 Agenda is characterized by its comprehensive and inclusive nature and its aim of leaving no one behind. The Government of El Salvador has considered defining a longterm governance framework through a national sustainable development council bringing together the actors of national life, as a platform for dialogue and the construction of agreements on development policies. This body will play a leading role in the long-term implementation of the 2030 Agenda. There are four main challenges in the implementation and follow-up of the Sustainable Development Goals: (a) building and developing institutional capacities to enhance the implementation and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda process; (b) completing the linkage between the 2030 Agenda and the national planning and budgeting system; (c) mobilizing domestic and international financial resources to drive the Agenda forward; and (d) ensuring effective participation by other actors and levels of Government in the implementation of the Agenda.

Ethiopia [Originally submitted in English] 39

1. GENERAL Ethiopia is land of origins (origin of human kind, origin of Arabica Coffee, origin of the Blue Nile, origin of rare species ... etc.) and a country of diversity too. Under a system of decentralized government administration, diverse nations, nationalities and people with varying languages, religions, traditions and geographic areas made a covenant to share the country voluntarily and with due respect to each other's rights. Ethiopia has a land area of l.l million square kms aud its population size in 20 161!7 reached about 92.3 million (CSA' s1 projection). Integrating with its national development frameworks, Ethiopia has implemented the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which spanned the period 2000 to 2015 and registered remarkable achievements. The MDGs were implemented through effective government leadership and coordination of all stakeholders in an organized and structured manner throughout the country. Lessons have also been drawn from the experience of implementing the MDGs and indeed, Ethiopia has made significant contributions by sharing these lessons as inputs to the preparation of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ethiopia has been pursuing pro-poor policies, implementing development plans and programs with in which global development agendas such as the MDGs, the Brussels Program of Action and its successor the Istanbul Program of Action for Least Developed Countries have been mainstreamed with remarkable achievements in economic growth, social development and environmental management. This, in turn has, helped in gaining replicable development experiences over the last decade and half. Informed by these experiences and having recognized future opportunities, Ethiopia has accepted and endorsed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with national commitments and ownership to implement the 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals (SDGs) as integral part of its national development framework. Accordingly, with full sense of national ownership, implementation of SDGs has been and is well in progress in Ethiopia. Based on the invitation from the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) Ethiopia has been volunteered to prepare the 2017 Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) on SDGs, and this summary report has been extracted from the full report of the 2017 VNRs on SDGs of Ethiopia. 2. THE PURPOSE, METHODS AND PROCESSES OF THE VNRS A number of consultations on the 2017 VNRs have been conducted at federal, regional and city administration levels. The purpose of these consultations is to ensure participation of all development actors and stakeholders including representatives of the government, the private sector, the civil society and non-government organizations, professional associations, women and youth associations, farmers and pastoralists, the parliament, political parties and development partners in the 2017 VNRs of SDGs, so that they can be cognizant the fact that where Ethiopia stands in terms of readiness and implementation of SDGs and provide constructive feedbacks to improve both contents and quality of the draft VNRs report . The Government led 2017 VNRs on SDGs conducted in Ethiopia has followed three approaches/methodologies. These included the following. 1. Review of existing government laws and development policies and plans and collection of statistical data/information from official sources including the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) and other government institutions. In this regard, survey and census related statistical data were collected from the CSA, while administrative data/information on the implementation of SDGs were compiled from pertinent federal line ministries which are responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of their respective sector development plans, i.e., the Second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II) with which SDGs have been mainstreamed.

40

2. Organizing and analyzing statistical data and/or information collected from official sources and drafting the 2017 VNRs report as per the proposal for voluntary common reporting guidelines of the Secretary General of the United Nations for VNRs at High Level Political Forum (HLPF). The draft VNRs report has been used as the basis for national consultations at the federal, regional and city administration levels. 1 CSA is the sole Government Central Statistics Agency in Ethiopia. 3. Conducting inclusive national consultations (federal and regional levels) on the draft 2017 VNRs. Government officials and senior experts from relevant ministries as well as other key stakeholders representing the private sector, the civil society institutions and the professional associations were consulted on the purpose, the methodology and the data requirements of the VNRs at the beginning of the review processes. All actors and stakeholders including representatives of the government, the private sector, the civil society and nongovernment institutions, professional associations, women associations, youth associations, farmers and pastoralists, the parliament, political parties and development partners were also participated in the national consultations. The national consultations conducted at regional levels were complemented by group discussions on four topics (1) Leaving no one behind (2) Eradication of poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world (3) achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls and (4) strengthening the means of implementation for SDGs in Ethiopia. The VNRs processes recognized Ethiopia's contribution to the formulation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Just like it did in the course of implementing the MDGs, Ethiopia has integrated the SDGs with in its Second Five Year Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II) spanning the period 2015/16-2019/20 with full sense of national ownership. All Stakeholders at all levels of government administration had participated in the preparation of GTP II through their representatives. The GTP II is, therefore, an integrated medium-term national development plan which has been financed from one national budget and facilitating more harmonious leadership and coordination for its effective implementation nation-wide. Thus, in the context of Ethiopia, implementing the current Second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTPII) and its successors means implementing the SDGs. There is and will be one national development plan in which the SDGs are mainstreamed. This will be further pronounced in the formulation of Ethiopia's 15 Years Perspective Development Plan spanning the period 2015/16-2029/30 currently under preparation and fully aligned with the period of the SDGs. Awareness on integration of SDGs with GTP II and the process the 2017 VNRs on SDGs of Ethiopia was created to all regional government officials through a two days' workshop jointly organized by the Government of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and UNDP Country Office in November2016. All the SDGs have been integrated with ten of the priority areas of the GTP 11. All SDGs targets which reflect the objective reality in Ethiopia viz. the GTP II's targets in macroeconomy, economic development, infrastructure development, social development, democratic systems development and cross-cutting-sectors development target have also been integrated with GTP II. Those SDGs targets that may not match the objective realities are being identified. Ethiopia has deployed existing institutional and organizational arrangements as well as human resources and no new and/or parallel efforts have been made to implement SDGs. The national reviews have confirmed that there exist enabling policies and environments to effectively implement the SDGs in Ethiopia. Political commitments at the government level are quite high. SDGs having been integrated with the GTP II, approved by the council of ministers and ratified by the House of Peoples Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FORE) and it has become legally binding to implement the SDGs in Ethiopia. This is an evidence for the high level political commitment and national ownership exhibited by government of the FORE. Evidences have shown that in the last decade and half, well-coordinated and integrated implementation of pro-poor national development policies, strategies, plans and programs benefitted the broader citizenry at all levels of government administration. The 41

outcomes of these policies manifested as economic and social development which in turn exhibited by significantly reduced national poverty. Reports of the Central Statistical Agency on Household Income and Consumption-Expenditure Survey and Welfare and Demographic Health Surveys have confirmed that Ethiopia's poverty-level have shown significant reduction. Remarkable achievements have also been registered in infrastructure development (road, rail, energy, and irrigation, digital... etc.), education and health. It is, therefore, promising that Ethiopia will eradicate poverty by 2030 and there by realize its national development objectives and global commitment in tandem. 3. REVIEW FINDINGS Findings of the 2017 VNRs on SDGs of Ethiopia are summarized under four main headings: Government commitment, national ownership, performance trends and lessons & challenges in the implementation of SDGs. 3.1 With respect to national commitments on SDGs: The high level of national commitments and transformative leadership that the government of the FDRE has exhibited to effectively implement SDGs are evidenced by (a) proper policies, strategies, plans and programs which have been implemented since the last decade and half (b) decentralized administrative system with power devolution to regional states (c) fullfledged institutional and organizational arrangements (federal and regional) to effectively implement the pro-poor policies, strategies, plans and programs within a decentralized administrative system which is the main mechanism to closely identify and address the needs of the citizens and by equally engaging them in economic, social and political matters. These commitments have created conducive environment for effective implementation of SDGs. 3.2 With respect to national ownership on SDGs: (a) Mainstreaming SDGs into GTP II and getting approved by the Council of Ministers and endorsed and ratified by the House of Peoples Representatives (the parliament) (b) Inclusive engagement and participation of all actors and stakeholders in the preparation, implementation, follow up and annual progress review of the SDGs-Integrated GTP II and (c) additional allocation of financial resource to increase the 70 % poverty-oriented sectors spending to 75 %for accelerating the achievement of SDGs through effective mobilization of domestic resources (d) Effective coordination of SDGs-lntegrated GTP II implementation both at the federal and regional level are concrete evidences for strong national ownership of the Ethiopian Government to effectively implement SDGs. 3.3 With respect to performance trends of SDGs: Early performance trends on the principle "Leaving No one Behind", on the 2017 Thematic Analysis: "Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity" and on the six sets of sustainable development goals for the 2017 in-depth review of SDGs, which include Goals I, 2, 3, 5, 9 and 14 have been assessed and the findings included in the 2017 VNRs report on SDGs of Ethiopia. 3.3.1 Leaving No One Behind: Ethiopia's supreme law, the Ethiopian constitution, provides equal development opportunities to all its citizens. Accordingly, it is proclaimed in the supreme law of the land that Ethiopia has to follow a decentralized administrative system with devolution of power to local administrative levels which are very close to the communities in light of better addressing local communities' needs and engaging them in economic, social and political activities; government services are better accessed in decentralized system of administration. The Government has also undertaken affirmative action particularly to support women and girls and to build capacities of those who and/or which have been left behind because of historical reasons. The pro-poor policies of the government, the productive safety net program in rural and urban areas, the micro & small enterprises initiatives in urban areas with 42

priority focus on women and youth are a few of the many showcases to address Leaving No one Behind in Ethiopia. With regard to financial inclusiveness, the country's financial system is being modernized, being made efficient, competitive and of high quality and of broad coverage to provide access to the citizens to equally participate in and more equitably benefit from the development across the nation. By expediting sustainable development in a coordinated and structured way opportunities for leaving no one behind and eradicating poverty have become more evident. 3.3.2 Eradication of Poverty and Promoting Prosperity in a changing world: The core development objective of the Ethiopian Government is poverty eradication, while economic growth is the principal, but not the only means to achieve this objective. All development policies, strategies plans and programs are geared towards eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity. This is evidenced by inclusive rapid economic growth, countrywide infrastructure development, remarkable social development, well organized, integrated and community based environmental development as well as building democratic systems in order to be able to eradicate poverty and bring about the prosperity of the people. The year 2025 has been marked as the target year to attain the National Vision for Ethiopia to join the Lower Middle Income status. The combined efforts of the nation are focusing on ensuring accelerated transformation and renaissance- the journey of the nation towards eradicating poverty and bringing about prosperity. The annual regular national budget allocation (about 70 %) has been focusing on poverty oriented sectors such as agriculture, education, health, water & sanitation and rural roads. The SDG-integrated GTP II has targeted to attain a national poverty level of 16.7 % by 2019/20. 3.3.3 Early performance trends of the six sets of SDGs (1, 2, 3, 5, 9 and 14) 3.3.3a End poverty in all its forms everywhere: Though unemployment and poverty in Ethiopia are still high, performances in economic growth, economic infrastructure development, social development and environmental development have been impressive. High unemployment rate of women and youth in particular requires special attention for increased and concerted efforts to continuously build capacities of women and youth, accelerate the allinclusive economic growth, infrastructure development, social development and building of democratic systems that would lead to eradicate poverty in all its forms and adequately address unemployment issues more expeditiously. In this regard, the SDG-integrated GTP II has prioritized unemployment issues of women and youth for addressing through integrated and organized approaches. In 2015/16, the Ethiopian economy grew on the average by 8 %. This average real GDP growth rate was registered in the 2015/16, despite the fact that climate change caused drought and its severe impact and despite the slow-down in the global economy; in all fairness it is a remarkable achievement Compared with economic growth rate of 7 %, the threshold that low income countries should maintain to achieve the creation of desirable work opportunities and sustainable economy, the growth performance of the Ethiopian economy in 2015/16 is considered to be high. The GDP per capita has also significantly increased from 373 USD in 2009/10 to 691 USD in 2014/15 and further to 794 USD by 2015/16. According to the poverty analysis based on the Household Income and Consumption Expenditure Survey (IDCES) of the Central Statistical Agency, national poverty level has declined from 44.2% in 1999/00 to 38.7% in 2004/05 and to 29.6% in 2010/11. The proportion of the population living below the national poverty line was estimated to decline from 29.6 % in 2010/11 to 23.4 % in 20 I 4/15 and at the end of the GTP II period (20 19/20), poverty level (head count poverty rate) is projected to decline to 16.7 %. With effective implementation of GTP II, and its next generations five year development plans to be implemented in the coming decade through integrated and coordinated manner, it is possible to eradicate poverty in all its forms by 2030. 3.3.3b End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture:

43

The Government of Ethiopia has strived to expand agricultural productivity through continuous capacity development of smallholder farmers and pastoralists, ensuring access to improved technology and agricultural extension services and transform the economy from that of agricultural development led to industrial economy with a realization of food security while aid-dependency ceases to exist. Agricultural productivity, preparedness for disaster prevention and management, urban employment generation and food security program have received priority attention in light of eliminating hunger, achieve food security & improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. The SDGs integrated GTP II has also given top priority to Climate Resilient Green Agriculture Development in an endeavor to increase productivity and ensure sustainability of agricultural development. Though climate change induced drought the worst ever seen in the last 50 years, had occurred in most parts of the country during 2015/16 and 10.2 million people became victims of the drought, the Government of Ethiopia has successfully managed the effects of the drought without any loss of human life largely through effective domestic resource mobilization and the supply of nutritious food items to mothers and children. The government has also registered an average real GDP growth rate of 8 %.despite the worst drought occurred in the country. The productivity of food crops was affected by the drought, as a result, production of major crops (cereals, pulses and oils seeds) declined from 270.3 million quintals in 2014115 to 266.8 million quintals in 2015/16. However, the decline in crop production due to the effects of drought was compensated by irrigation in non drought victim areas of the country. On the other hand, in light of ascertaining food security, massive natural resources development works were executed by mobilizing the rural communities in 2015/16. 3.3.3c Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages: It has been proclaimed in the constitution of the FDRE that the Government has the obligation to allocate ever increasing resources to provide to the public health, education and other social services. The national health sector policy, strategy, plan and program of the Government have therefore, emanated from this constitutional provision and they are focusing on preventive rather than curative health services to addresse critical issues and problems of the health sector in Ethiopia. With the main objective of ensuring easy access to and quality of basic health services for all Ethiopian citizens, the Ethiopian Government has made massive investment in expanding health infrastructure and building the human capital in the health sector. Health Extension Program has been operational and rolled out to all rural and urban areas of the country for effective implementation of the national health sector policy by deploying about thirty eight thousand trained health extension workers. Accordingly, the national health services coverage reached 98 % through expanding health institutions, training and deploying sufficient human resources and increasing health service accessibility. Maternal and infants health has improved significantly with reduced maternal mortality rate per100,000 live births to 420 in 2014/15 while that of under five child mortality rate declined to 64/1000 live births in the same period. Incidences & spread of communicable diseases have been restrained and life expectancy has shown tremendous progress. Healthy and productive labor force is thus availed for the economy to maintain its accelerated pace and achieve the goal of eradicating poverty in all its forms by 2030. 3.3.3d Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls: As per the constitution of the FDRE, all persons are equal before the law and that women have equal rights with men in all economic, social and political affairs. On the basis of this constitutional provision, the Ethiopian Government has formulated and put under implementation of women's policy and development packages and youths' policy and development packages. These policies and development packages aim at ensuring women and female youths' equality and ensuring that they benefit from the economy. Youth policy gives priority to female youth and is focusing on educating and training them in various professions and skills such that they equally participate in and equitably benefit from economic & social development, good governance and democratic affairs and that they get organized and stand for their rights. Affinitive actions have also been taken by the government to compensate women and girls for what they lost historically in areas of Civil Service Employment Schemes 44

and entrance of tertiary education. Rural women were deployed to various works and were made to own lands. Land is principal economic resource in the rural areas of the country. During 2015/16 alone, 276.1 thousand women jointly with their husbands and 61.7 thousand women headed households have received second degree entitlement on rural land ownership. Furthermore, 442,011 women jointly with their husbands and 71,169 women headed households received second degree entitlement for rights to land use during the first six months of 2016/17. In Ethiopia, women participation in the political sphere has been increasing. Their representation in the house of peoples' representatives (parliament) reached 38.7 percent, while at lower level of government administration, i.e. at regional and woreda (district) levels, representation of women in the house of people representatives reached 48 percent and 50 percent respectively. Gender parity index in primary education (grades 1-8) reached 0.91 in 2015/16. This clearly shows that women in Ethiopia are getting empowered to achieve gender equality in all sphere of development. 3.3.3e Build resilient infrastructure, industrialization and foster innovation:

promote

inclusive

and

sustainable

Ethiopia has set a new vision of becoming a leader in light manufacturing in Africa and one of the leaders in overall manufacturing as well. The vision on manufacturing sector is set to sustain the rapid economic growth over the previous years. Accordingly, in SDGs-integrated GTP II, a priority has been set to ensure rapid, sustainable and reliable industrial growth by building climate resilient green industry through developing national capabilities in technological searching, selection, import, adaptation and effective utilization, enhance quality infrastructural capacity to support the manufacturing sector to become competitive in the international market in terms of quality and price. Sustaining infrastructure investment by promoting export expansion and import substitution of goods and services so as to reduce the strain on foreign exchange demand and meeting the infrastructure need of the economy through building strong institutions, utilizing infrastructure delivery as a vehicle to create jobs and addressing the financial constraints in investing in infrastructure development are also the focus of SDGs-integrated GTP II. With regard to infrastructure development, the total length of all weather-roads increased from 11 0,414 kms in 2014/15 to 113,067 kms in 2015116 and the average time taken to access all-weather roads has been reduced to 1.6 hrs in 2015/16. Remarkable progresses have also been made in rail infrastructure development, digital infrastructure development, air transport, etc. With regard to road transport, though passengers and freight transport services have been on the increase, traffic accidents are also increasing and reaching at 63/10,000 deaths during 2015/16, which requires critical attention to address the problem. Constructions of renewable energy generating infrastructure (hydropower, geothermal, wind and solar) have also been progressing including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Darn on Abay River with electric power generating capacity of 6000 MW which is the largest in Africa and the new electric power generating plant based on solid wastes which is second to none in Africa. While the national electric power generation capacity in Ethiopia has reached 4,269.5 MW in 2015/16, renewable energy generation from renewable sources has been prioritized in SDGs-integrated GTP II and the Government is aggressively working to increase the existing national capacity to 17,208 MW by 2019/20. Ethiopia is working to become East African Power Hub and currently exporting electric power to Djibouti and Sudan and in the pipeline to export power to Kenya while memoranda of understanding were signed with other African Countries. With regard to industrial development, the Ethiopian Government is aggressively working in developing strong and able human capital, creating enabling environment to attract developmental investors, fostering Green-Industry development and encouraging socially responsible and environmentally safe sustainable manufacturing industries through building of industrial parks and clusters which are envisaged to provide single-window shopping and suitable access to the required infrastructure and services in facilitating and expediting efficient and effective deliveries of the manufacturing industries.

45

Guatemala [Originally submitted in Spanish and unofficially translated to English1]

Preceding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was the Millennium Declaration and its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), covering the period 2000-2015. The follow-up of these goals was reflected in four progress reports. In the last one, it was demonstrated that Guatemala’s progress to achieve de MDGs was made at an insufficient pace, and in many areas the progress was unsatisfactory, to achieve the minimum standards of development proposed. In 2015, Guatemala, together with 192 countries around the world, committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an agenda that gives continuity to the MDGs, but incorporates other dimensions of development related to economic growth and environmental sustainability, and promotes an integrated vision of development that is applicable to all countries, regardless of their level of development. In making the commitment, we made clear our desire to fight poverty, reduce inequalities and accelerate economic growth within an environmentally sustainable development framework. In this regard, we are here today for the first time to report back on what the country is doing to ensure the right to development for all Guatemalans. The Voluntary National Review, which is being presented today, aims to show the world where the country stands and how much is still needed for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this sense, as can be seen in chapter I, after the adoption of the Agenda, the country began a process of nationalizing the Agenda, with its particular features but without losing sight of what was established in the Declaration "Transforming our world: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, which states that each country will define the strategies and mechanisms, as well as the multi-stakeholder consultations and dialogue processes it deems most convenient to articulate the objectives, goals and indicators, with a vision for long term development. The country, taking into account the lessons learned and the results achieved in the follow-up of the MDGs and the fact that the 2030 Agenda is very ambitious and complex, decided to carry out a process of consultation, validation and technical analysis, in such a way that the Agenda would be adapted to the context, reality and possibilities of the country and more importantly, would be aligned with its National Development Plan K'atun Nuestra Guatemala 2032. This process of national appropriation was arranged in accordance with the established by the National Council of Urban and Rural Development (Conadur) in the “Estrategia de articulación de la Agenda de Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible con el Plan y la Política Nacional de Desarrollo K´atun Nuestra Guatemala 2032” (“Strategy of alignment of the 2030

1

Due to late submission, official English translation of main messages is not available. 46

Agenda for Sustainable Development with the National Plan and Policy of Development K'atun Our Guatemala 2032") This process made it possible to prioritize the 17 objectives, 129 of the 169 targets and 200 of the 241 indicators set out by the Agenda at the international level. The prioritization was the result of technical analysis and the will and consensus of all the actors in Guatemalan society who participated in the process of socialization, prioritization, validation and approval. With this exercise, the country has completed the set of national development priorities that lays the foundation for the country's development vision for the coming years. Following the prioritization process, the “Conadur” approved the “Estructura de la Estrategia de Implementación de las Prioridades de Desarrollo” ("Structure of the Strategy for the Implementation of the Development Priorities"), where the main requirements, actions, interventions, agreements and alliances needed to achieve effective implementation of national development priorities were set out. Each of the components considered in the strategy constitutes in itself a challenge for the country, which therefore requires a special approach. These are related to complex economic and environmental scenarios; the configuration of institutional arrangements; the incorporation of development priorities into the strategic and operational planning processes at the different levels: sectoral, national, regional, departmental and municipal. Additionally, the strengthening of public finances and the alignment of private investment and ODA is needed, in order to provide the necessary resources for financing, information management and cost-effective interventions to achieve the development objectives; intersectoral and inter-institutional coordination and the participation of all actors in Guatemalan society in the process of implementing the 2030 Agenda and the establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems to monitor progress in the implementation of the Agenda. In order to account for the different degrees in which development is generated for the different social groups and territories, an analysis of the institutional capacities of the country to report on the indicators proposed by the 2030 Agenda has been carried out. This exercise has made it possible to identify that the country can report on 46.8% of the indicators. From this percentage some indicators are already being created, while for others the information is available to create them. Information is available for 36 of the 68 prioritized indicators, i.e. 52.9% of all the Goals under review in this second round of national consultations. Chapter III of the review specifically addresses each of the SDGs being analysed, including a description of the state of play of the indicators for which information is available, which has made it possible to highlight the challenges the country is facing in terms of development. As part of this analysis, the baselines have been established for the 36 indicators for which statistical information is available, while the targets have been agreed for a smaller number of indicators. This process continues in the country and will be extended to the 200 prioritized indicators. It is important to emphasize that as part of the review a section has been 47

incorporated in which the State responds to each of the areas of development. For this, the actions are identified according to the contributions: public sector, private sector, civil society and international development actors. It also includes a section describing the perception of young people about each of the areas of development envisaged in the six SDGs. In an effort to propose actions that should be followed to generate statistical information for the reporting on indicators that lack information today, the country initiated a dialogue with all relevant actors to create a roadmap which will provide the information in the medium term. Some of the agreements reached have been highlighted in this report for the six selected SDGs. It is worth mentioning that this field continues to be one of the greatest challenges in the country.

Honduras [Originally submitted in Spanish and translated to English by the Secretariat]

Honduras reiterates to the world its commitment to devoting effective, efficient and determined efforts to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, under the leadership of the Ministry for General Government Coordination. Important advances have been made in establishing the bases for implementing the 2030 Agenda, with a restructuring of institutional structures for supporting the Sustainable Development Goals; the inclusion of key actors; the development of exercises on integrating the Agenda into the national planning, oversight and assessment system; and a tie-in with the national budget. As for governance and the actors involved in the Sustainable Development Goals, Honduras has decided to set up two commissions: a high-level commission tasked with taking strategic decisions and addressing challenges that arise during the process; and a technical commission to provide advice and follow up on the decisions taken. Both commissions are made up of key actors from the public sector, the private sector, workers’ and campesinos’ organizations, academia, organized civil society, and municipal governments. Their main challenge is to ensure the sustained involvement of all actors. As for existing coordination mechanisms for implementing the 2030 Agenda, the sectoral cabinets are a fortress and should play a greater role in achieving the Goals. Their task is to define, create and ensure the sustainability of institutional linkages, along with their mechanisms for the comprehensive implementation, coordination, follow-up and assessment of multidimensional, intersectoral and inter-institutional policies and measures. Appropriate initiatives and lessons learned during the process (a) The executive branch decided to delegate the coordination of the process to the Ministry for General Government Coordination because of its role in planning, oversight and assessment, and because of its links with international cooperation and various sectors. As a result, it has become the primary national and international focal point in the process; 48

(b) A multidimensional poverty index for Honduras has been defined and approved under the leadership of the Ministry for General Government Coordination, with the participation of multidisciplinary and intersectoral technical and political commissions, and with the assistance of the Poverty and Human Development Initiative of Oxford University for the multidimensional measurement and analysis of the target of eradicating poverty in all its forms (Goal 1), going beyond the sole criterion of income; (c)

Articulation and connection work:

(i) An analysis of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, their 169 targets and their 232 indicators with respect to the four national goals and 23 targets in the Country Vision, 2010-2038, the 11 strategic guidelines and the 65 indicators in the National Plan, 2010-2022, as well as the 14 global outcomes of the Government’s Strategic Plan 2014-2018, resulted in the prioritization of 13 Sustainable Development Goals and 62 indicators for 43 targets; (ii) The implementation of pilot exercises for strategic institutional plans and strategic municipal development plans based on outcome-oriented management integrating the Goals; (iii) An oversight proposal using the outcome-based management platform and the Sustainable Development Goals; (iv) An analysis of the connection between the budgeting of interventions and the Goals; (d) Implementation of joint initiatives involving the Government, various national actors and international cooperation, with an innovative approach to integrating and analytically addressing the Goals in the areas of: (i)

Food security:

(ii)

Education;

(iii) Drinking water and sanitation; (iv) Modernization of the State and accountability; (v)

Partnerships for development.

Main challenges to be addressed: (a) Coordinated budgeting and planning with a review, analysis and strengthening of technical capacities, development planning models, and their connection to the budgetary resources needed to achieve the Goals. That will urgently require coordinated work between the Ministry for General Government Coordination, the Finance Ministry and the National Congress; (b) Decentralization of the 2030 Agenda by central and municipal Governments during their planning and budgeting processes in order to achieve the prioritized Goals. To achieve this, strategies for awareness-raising, planning, oversight, follow-up and assessment of the indicators for the prioritized targets, and an appropriate communication plan, will be needed; (c) Better alignment between the role of cooperation and international financial bodies. In spite of advances resulting from their involvement, there is still room for collaboration in (i) oversight and assessment of targets and indicators; (ii) the operations of national governance mechanisms; (iii) the ongoing process of building institutional capacities 49

and training actors; and (iv) assistance in financing sustainable development. The role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and that of the Finance Ministry will be key in those areas.

India [Originally submitted in English]

India has played an important role in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, it is no surprise that the country’s national development goals are mirrored in the SDGs. As such, India has been effectively committed to achieving the SDGs even before they were fully crystallized. The expression “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,” which translates as “Collective Effort, Inclusive Growth” and has been popularized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, forms the cornerstone of India’s national development agenda. To fast track this agenda, the Government of India has just released a draft Three-Year Action Agenda covering years 201718 to 2019-20. In parallel, work is in advance stages on a 15-Year Vision, which will also include a 7-year Strategy. Reflecting the country’s long-standing federal tradition, these documents are being prepared with active participation of the States (sub-national Governments). Reflecting the country’s commitment to the SDG agenda at the highest levels of Government, the Indian Parliament organized several forums including the South Asian Speakers’ Summit in February 2017. These forums have focused on the elimination of poverty, gender equality, climate change and resource mobilization for SDGs. Additionally, the Speaker’s Research Initiative has been launched for providing SDG-related insights to Members of Parliament. For implementing the SDG agenda, the Government of India has launched several ambitious programmes, some of which are highlighted below. A noteworthy example of a crosscutting initiative is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) which is the world’s largest financial inclusion programme. By leveraging PMJDY, Aadhaar (biometric identity system) and mobile telephony, the Government has disbursed a cumulative amount of INR 1.62 trillion (USD 25 billion) to 329 million beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfers.1 This has helped to significantly enhance the efficiency of Government programmes. Further, special efforts have been made to invigorate the federal governance structure of the country through cooperative and competitive federalism. State Governments are playing a prominent role in advancing the national development agenda. The recommendations made by three sub-groups of Chief Ministers of States on various themes including the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Movement) and skill development have contributed towards shaping relevant policy decisions at the national-level. India’s bold Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), communicated to the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, form a significant part of its SDG strategy. These include substantially reducing the emission intensity of GDP, tapping non-fossil fuel energy sources and creating additional carbon sink. The responsibility for overseeing SDG implementation has been assigned to the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), which is the premier policy think tank of the Government and is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. NITI Aayog has mapped the goals and targets to various nodal ministries as well as flagship programmes. State Governments are also engaged in developing roadmaps for achieving the SDGs with several of 50

them having already published their plans. Draft indicators for tracking the SDGs have been developed and placed in the public domain by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation for wider consultation. The main messages for India’s Voluntary National Review of SDG implementation encapsulate the progress made with respect to Goals 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 14 and 17. This is not to suggest that progress has not been made with respect to other goals. Interconnections across the 17 SDGs are so strong that the pursuit of the goals explicitly discussed below necessarily involves the promotion of other goals as well. Goal 1: End Poverty in All its Forms Everywhere • Rapid growth (SDG 8) is the key weapon in any country’s arsenal for combating poverty. On the one hand, it creates well-paid jobs that empower households by giving them necessary purchasing power to access food, clothing, housing, education and health. On the other, it places ever-rising revenues in the hands of the Government to finance social spending. India has continued its programme of economic reforms to achieve sustained rapid growth. The reforms have included fiscal consolidation, inflation targeting, improved governance all around, accelerated infrastructure development (SDG 9), curbing of corruption (SDG 16), Aadhaar Act, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Act, Goods and Services Tax (GST), further liberalization of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), closure of sick Public Sector Units and much more. The result has been that, today, India is the fastest growing large economy in the world. It grew 7.9 per cent during fiscal year 2015-16 and 7.1 per cent during 2016-17. Growth has brought increased volume of revenues, which have permitted the Government to sustain a high-level of social spending that directly targets poverty, as described immediately below. • An important strategy for achieving this goal is focused on generating meaningful employment by developing agricultural infrastructure, productive assets and entrepreneurship-based livelihood opportunities. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which is sometimes described as the world’s largest cash transfer programme, has generated over 2 billion person-days’ of employment (SDG 8) during the last year. It has helped reduce extreme poverty as well as enhance the infrastructure and purchasing power in rural areas. The benefits have largely been reaped by women (SDG 5) and disadvantaged sections of society (SDG 10). Similarly, the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Livelihoods Mission provides skilled employment to marginalized communities. • Further, two major programmes, the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, provide access to life and accident insurance for 130 million subscribers for nominal annual premiums. Additionally, initiatives like the Atal Pension Yojana and the National Social Assistance Programme provide pension to workers in the unorganized sector, widows and the differently abled. • Another crucial strategy for eliminating poverty is ensuring access to basic services. In the area of education, there is a National Mission, which is focused on providing universal access to quality primary education. Moreover, the Right to Education Act has established an effective legal framework entitling all children (6-14 years) to free and compulsory education based on principles of equity and non-discrimination. Similarly, the National Health Mission and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) initiatives strive to provide access to primary health care and nutrition for the population. • India is committed to ensuring housing for all by 2022. To enable the achievement of this objective, the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme provides direct financial assistance to poor households. • For fulfilling the cooking fuel requirements of the population in an environmentally friendly manner, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, launched in 2016, aims to provide Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to poor families with initial financial support for accessing a

51

connection. The programme has enabled the provision of more than 20 million LPG connections since its launch a year ago. • Providing access to adequate and safe drinking water as well as sanitation is crucial. Under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme, more than 77% of the rural habitations have been fully covered with 40 litres of drinking water per capita on a daily basis. The objective of the Clean India Movement is to ensure an Open Defecation Free India by 2019. Over the last two years, more than 39 million household toilets have been constructed. Moreover, 193,000 villages and 531 cities have been successful in ending the practice of open defecation. The Movement also focuses on bringing about sustained behaviour change through the engagement of a range of stakeholders, including religious and political leaders.

Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture • Programmes under the National Food Security Act cover more than 800 million people in the country. The Public Distribution System, for instance, is one of the largest food security initiatives in the world. In recognition of empirical evidence that women pay greater attention to household security, the Government has chosen to issue ration cards in the name of the senior most female member of the household. Other initiatives that contribute to this goal are the ICDS and the Mid-Day Meal Programme. The latter provides nutritious cooked meals to 100 million children in primary schools. • Governance reforms are being undertaken for improving the effectiveness of food security programmes. These include digitization of ration cards, leveraging Aadhaar for authenticated delivery of benefits and an online grievance redressal mechanism. • Further, the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture in collaboration with other stakeholders is implementing climate change adaptation strategies for sustaining agricultural productivity. Since 2014, the land under organic farming has increased to 200,000 ha. Additionally, over 62 million Soil Health Cards, with crop-wise nutrient management advisories, have been issued. • Moreover, a comprehensive plan is being implemented for doubling farmers’ income by 2022. This includes expediting tenancy reforms, promoting crop diversification and expanding micro-irrigation (1.3 million ha covered during the last two years). • Another area in which considerable progress has been made is digitization of agricultural marketing. The electronic National Agricultural Marketing platform now covers 250 Mandis (agricultural markets) across the country. A revamped crop insurance programme, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, has also been launched.

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages • Beyond increasing access, several initiatives are also being taken for improving the quality of health services. These include the development of a composite index and an award for ensuring a hygienic environment in Government health facilities. • The National Health Policy, 2017, specifies targets for universalizing primary health care, reducing infant and under-5 mortality, preventing premature deaths due to noncommunicable diseases as well as increasing Government expenditure on health. • To tackle the death of children due to vaccine-preventable diseases and the risk due to incomplete immunization, the Government is aiming to provide vaccination against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, tuberculosis, polio, measles and hepatitis to all unimmunized or partially immunized children by 2020.

52

• As a step towards achieving universal health coverage, the Government of India has announced a health insurance cover to the tune of INR 100,000 (USD 1,563) for families below the poverty line.

Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls • Several important initiatives have been taken during the last few years for promoting gender equality. A flagship initiative is Beti Bachao Beti Padao (Save the Girl Child Educate the Girl Child), under which State Governments are implementing a range of measures suited to their local contexts to elevate the status of the girl child. • Additionally, a Maternity Benefit Programme has been launched for all pregnant and lactating mothers. Through conditional cash transfer, it protects women from wage loss during the first six months after childbirth. • For raising the levels of female labour force participation, a number of initiatives are being implemented including Stand-up India and MGNREGA. The Women Empowerment Campaign is another effort focused on enabling digital literacy and gainful employment opportunities. • Further, Women Empowerment Centres are being established for providing comprehensive services at the village-level.

Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, industrialization and foster innovation

promote

inclusive

and

sustainable

• All forms of transportation -- roads, railways, civil aviation and waterways -- are being rapidly expanded. Road connectivity and electricity are being brought to all villages. • The objective of the Digital India initiative is to build a digitally empowered society by focusing on broadband highways, mobile connectivity and Internet as well as eGovernance. For example, the Bharat Broadband Network Ltd has provided high-speed connectivity to 18,434 local village councils, thus far. Till December 2016, there were 432 million internet users in the country. • Another priority area is manufacturing. The new Manufacturing Policy raises the output target from 16% of GDP to 25% by 2025. India is developing into a high-tech and global manufacturing hub because of the emphasis on ‘Make in India’ and a substantial increase in FDI inflows. • The Government has also introduced a number of policy measures for boosting employment-intensive manufacturing segments. For instance, the recently introduced Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana provides easy credit ranging from INR 50,000 to 1 million (USD 780 to 15,600) to small-scale business entrepreneurs. A major package announced for the textiles industry aims to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in this sector. • For promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing economic growth, the Government has launched the Start-up India programme. Innovation and entrepreneurship is also being encouraged through initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission. Additionally, NITI Aayog has launched the India Innovation Index for ranking innovations in the country.

Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources • Several strategies have been put in place for realizing the Blue Revolution in the country. These include strengthening marine research, developing an eco-friendly marine industrial and technology base as well as implementing the National Fisheries Action Plan. • Significant progress has been made with respect to preservation and management of the marine ecosystem. For instance, the Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System 53

tracks the levels of marine pollution along the coastline. Additionally, the Online Oil Spill Advisory System enhances the effectiveness of the national response to marine oil spills. India is also implementing the revised National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan. • Further, the Sagarmala programme is focused on improving port connectivity, portlinked industrialization and coastal community development. Under this initiative, support is also provided for the development of deep sea fishing vessels and fish processing centres.

Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development • A revitalized global partnership is crucial for the achievement of the SDGs. India is committed to taking measurable actions for implementing the SDG agenda. We also reaffirm the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This is important because while efforts at raising resources domestically will help India move closer to the attainment of the SDGs, they are unlikely to result in sufficient revenues. Therefore, we reiterate that the developed countries have an essential obligation to provide financial assistance to the developing countries, especially for global public goods such as climate change mitigation and control of pandemics, so that they can fully achieve the SDGs. International cooperation is also essential for curbing illicit financial flows, defining aid unambiguously and establishing robust systems for monitoring commitments made by donor countries. • For increasing the domestic mobilization of resources, a path-breaking tax reform agenda is being finalized. This includes direct tax reforms as well as the GST, a uniform and simplified form of indirect taxation. An innovative tax like the Swachh Bharat Cess (Clean India Cess) has also been levied for mobilizing resources for the Clean India Campaign. • Additionally, implementation of the budget responsibility legislation is ensuring predictable and sustainable budgeting as well as long-term debt sustainability. • Financing of sustainable sources of energy is being promoted to provide energy for all by 2022 through a massive 150 GW increase in energy from renewables. Enhanced international cooperation is also being fostered through the leadership of the International Solar Alliance. • Further, consistent policies have opened up the economy to FDI. This has resulted in $156 billion FDI flow during the last three fiscal years. The flow of $56 billion in the latest fiscal year has been larger than that in any other year. • The 14th Finance Commission award is being implemented to substantially enhance fiscal devolution to States (from 32% to 42% of the central pool of tax proceeds) and Local Governments. This is enabling a significant spurt in development interventions designed and implemented independently by sub-national Governments. • Enhancing development cooperation with neighbouring and other countries of the global South brings India’s innovation and expertise to the service of these countries. For instance, launching of the South Asia Satellite will lead to sharing of valuable data with neighbouring countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan.

Indonesia [Originally submitted in English]

54

INTRODUCTION The HLPF SDGs 2017 Theme is “Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world”. Indonesia has made many efforts in poverty alleviation in the past 10 years, and has successfully reduced the percentage of population living in poverty from 17.75 percent (2006) to 10.7 percent (2016). Not only in terms of number, the poverty severity and depth index have also decreased, even though the absolute number of poverty is still significant (22.76 million people). In line with the theme, the great challenge currently faced by Indonesia is how to further reduce poverty and to improve the welfare of the population. Considering the seven goals reported in VNR 2017 related to the HLPF theme, Indonesia formulates the interconnectedness between the Goals and theme as follows: Based on the theme of poverty eradication and improving prosperity that is Goal 1 of the SDGs, Indonesia’s VNR report focuses on two main aspects, namely (1) Improving the quality of human resources and (2) Enhancing economic opportunities for sustainable livelihood. Improving the quality of human resources focuses on achievements in the Health sector (Goal 3), Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture (Goal 2), and Education (Goal 4). Although education is not the main focus of VNR 2017, it is nevertheless important for and is closely related with poverty alleviation efforts. Furthermore, improving economic opportunities for sustainable livelihoods is achieved through increased efforts in the industrial sector, innovation and infrastructure (Goal 9) as well as marine ecosystem conservation and its sustainable use (Goal 14). The two main aspects can be achieved with the support of enabling factors, namely gender (Goal 5), as well as partnerships in various sectors, data, and financing (Goal 17). The main messages conveyed by Indonesia for this VNR 2017 are as follows: 1) creating national ownership through an inclusive and participatory process, 2) systematic framework of the SDGs implementation in Indonesia; 3) Indonesia's development achievements in line with the current theme of the HLPF that covers seven interconnected sectors, 4) enabling environment of the SDGs implementation, 5) and the way forward.

1. CREATING NATIONAL OWNERSHIP THROUGH AN INCLUSIVE AND PARTICIPATORY PROCESS With regard to the SDGs, one of Indonesia’s strengths is the involvement of all stakeholders throughout the process, from planning, implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation processes. The partnership that involves all stakeholders is forged long before the adoption of the SDGs at the global level, specifically since the deliberations of the post2015 agenda with the appointment of Indonesia by the UN Secretary General as one of the Co-chairs for the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons (HLP) for the Post 2015 Development Agenda (2012 – 2013). Indonesia was also a member of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (2013-2014) and has actively engaged in all inter55

governmental negotiations of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development . Indonesia had also appointed a Special Envoy of the President for the HLP. During the deliberations of the Agenda under the HLP, Indonesia has succeeded in bringing to attention and promoting the importance of global partnership for the implementation of sustainable development. As one of the countries that promote this issue, Indonesia also actively applies the multi-stakeholder partnership approaches in the preparation and implementation of SDGs. The Ministry of the National Development Planning/”Bappenas” is assigned to coordinate the entire process of planning, implementation, monitoring as well as evaluation and reporting by involving all stakeholders. Indonesia maintains a working relationship based on mutual trust between all stakeholders, consisting of the government, CSO, philanthropy and business, as well as academics. The active engagement of all stakeholders is encouraged and enhanced by their involvement and representation in the Implementing Team and Working Group within the SDGs National Coordinating Team. All stakeholders are not only involved in the implementation, but also in determining the direction of the SDGs implementation. One of the examples of multi-stakeholder involvement is the offline and online public consultations in the development of SDGs metadata and guideline for formulating the National and SubNational Action Plans. Indonesia also applies the principle of inclusiveness in the preparation of the VNR2. To prepare the VNR, a technical team is established, which consists of the representation of all relevant stakeholders. The VNR formulation is conducted in several stages, namely harmonizing perception, formulating outline, adopting the schedule, formulating analysis of each chapter, establishing consultation mechanism, formulating main message, and finalizing the full VNR report. All the outcomes of the offline consultation is then communicated online via email, the website of SDGs Indonesia (www.sdgsindonesia.or.id) and the social media to obtain inputs from the general public. 2. SYSTEMATIC FRAMEWORK OF SDGS INDONESIA IMPLEMENTATION There are three types of development planning system in Indonesia, namely long term (20 years), medium-term (5 years), and short-term (1-year) Development Plans, that serve as a basis for the formulation and allocation of the Annual State Budget. Indonesia's current Long Term Development Plan (RPJPN) is effective from 2005 to 2025, and is translated into the National Medium Term Development Plan (Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Nasional - RPJMN) that is currently in its third period of 2015-2019. In the future, the SDGs that span from 2015 to 2030 will be incorporated into the fourth phase of RPJMN 2020 – 2025, and will be mainstreamed into RPJPN 2025 – 2045 currently in the drafting process. The RPJMN 2015 – 2019 has integrated various topics discussed in the 2030 Agenda and encompasses three development dimensions, namely: (1) social development, (2) economic development, and (3) environmental development, and supported by (4) the provision of access to justice and good governance. The fundamental transformation of SDGs is the environmental friendly internalization and sustainable human development into the economic development and sustainable livelihoods.

2

The entire process of preparing VNR Indonesia, applies 6 (six) main principles in the involvement process of the stakeholders indicating inclusiveness, namely: (1) The availability of schedules that are submitted to stakeholders; (2) Public campaign to encourage the parties to actively participate in the entire preparation process; (3) Various diverse channels, both online and offline to provide the widest space for the stakeholders to provide input; (4) Wide involvement of all stakeholders either from the government as well as non government such as academics and experts, philanthropy and business, social organizations and the media to ensure representation of all community groups or elements; (5)Documentation and publication to ensure accountability and transparency of the consultation process implemented; (6) Easy-to-understand language to reduce the information gap of the parties involved.

56

To ensure the implementation of SDGs that are internalized in the national development agenda, Indonesia establishes a National SDGs Coordination Team that is supported by the SDGs Secretariat. The National Coordinating Team ensures both horizontal coordination at the national level (between ministries/agencies as well as between the government and non-state actors), and vertical coordination (between governments at the national and local levels). The National Coordinating Team also ensures all stakeholders involvements so that the principle of no one left behind is fully implemented. The implementation of the no-one left behind principle is also reflected in the data disaggregation for Indonesian SDGs. Indonesia has already developed 87 of the total 241 global indicators, and the rest is still being developed. In addition, to ensure alignment with its national priorities and circumstances, Indonesia also has 234 proxy indicators. The operational definitions, calculations, benefits, data sources, data collection frequencies and disaggregation of each indicator have been developed to ensure that no-one is left behind. Several disaggregations are not yet available for all indicators, for instance the disaggregation of disability groups and migration status. Indonesia will endeavour to ensure the availability of data disaggregation through various exsisting censuses and surveys. Data sources used in formulating the Voluntary National Review 2017 are based on BPS (Statistics Indonesia) data, data from relevant ministries/technical institutions and other sources from CSO and research institutions. 3. INTERCONNECTEDNESS BETWEEN THE THEME AND GOALS As mentioned above, for the purpose of aligning with the theme of HLPF 2017, Indonesia has identified two central aspects, namely (1) improving human resource development and (2) enhancing economic opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, with relevant areas reflected in the Goals within SDGs that is the main focus of VNR 2017. The poverty alleviation strategy in Indonesia in RPJMN 2015-2019 is based on 3 aspects, i.e. comprehensive social protection, the provision and improved access to basic services, and sustainable livelihoods. Achievements of the interconnected goals are as follows: 3.a. Improving Human Resources Development Referring to the Goals that are the focus of VNR 2017, human resources development in Indonesia is achieved by development efforts in three main areas, namely: food security and nutrition (Goal 2), health and well-being (Goal 3) and education. Although education (Goal 4) is not included in the discussion of VNR 2017, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of education for poverty alleviation and welfare improvement. The Government of Indonesia has implemented various efforts in the health sector, among others, by developing the National Social Security System (Sistem Jaminan Sosial Nasional - SJSN). One of the implementation of this system is the National Health Insurance (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional- JKN) enacted in 2014 through the issuance of the Indonesia Health Card (Kartu Indonesia Sehat - KIS). JKN provides health insurance for the poor (Premium Assistance Benefiacies or Penerima Bantuan Iuran - PBI), for which the contribution is paid by the government. The number of Health Cards (KIS) recipients in 2016 was 171.9 million people (66.4 percent of the population), an increase from 51.8 percent in 2014. It has become one of the largest social health insurance schemes in the world. The challenges of JKN implementation are, among others, the still less then optimum data in the Integrated Database (Basis Data Terpadu - BDT) as a reference for poverty alleviation program. Moreover, the JKN coverage is yet to be widened to reach informal workers and wage laborers. Several measures have been taken to improve the system, among others the development of the Integrated Services and Referral System (Sistem Layanan dan Rujukan Terpadu - SLRT) scheme and the self-registration mechanism (Mekanisme Pemutakhiran Mandiri -MPM) with the involvement of the local governments.

57

To improve heath and well-being, one of the important health programs implemented in Indonesia is the program to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has decreased from 346 maternal deaths (Population Censal 2010) to 305 per 100,000 live births (Inter Censal Population Survey 2015). Several efforts to reduce the MMR include the implementation of the Universal Delivery Care (Program Jaminan Persalinan- Jampersal) that has been integrated into the National Social Security System (SJSN) and the establishment of the Minimum Service Standard (Standar Pelayanan Minimal SPM) in the health sector. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under Five Mortality Rate (Angka Kematian Balita-AKBa) are constantly decreasing. The IMR has decreased from 68 in 1991 to 32 in 2012 (Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey – IDHS) per 1000 live births. In the same period, the under five mortality rate (AKBa) has decreased from 97 in 1991 to 40 in 2012 (IDHS). The greatest challenge faced in reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Under Five Mortality Rate is the quality of maternal health care including the competency of health care providers, and adequate availability of health care facilities, delivery equipment and hospitals. Another comprehensive effort is the implementation of the Conditional Cash Transfer program which targets the poor and vulnerable families, through the Family Hope Program (Program Keluarga Harapan - PKH). The coverage of the PKH has increased almost 6-fold from 1.1 million families in 2011 to 6 million families in 2016. As an achievement in the food and nutrition sector, Indonesia has managed to reduce the insufficiency of food consumption. In 2015, rice production reached 75.40 million tons and maize 19.61 million tons. At this production rate, in aggregate, Indonesia has been able to meet the need of rice as a staple food. Beef production in the period of 2006-2015 grew by 3.11% per year, and egg production by4.50% per year. In addition, chicken meat production in the period of 2010-2015 grew by 5.74% per year. Other food source and nutrient originate from marine fishery. The government has initiated the movement to promote fish consumption (Gerakan Memasyarakatkan Makan Ikan - GEMARIKAN) to increase the awareness of the population on the importance of consuming fish. The production of marine fisheries has steadily increased from 4.8 million tons in 2011 to 5.3 million tons in 2014, still below the allowed fish catchment. The quality of food consumption of the Indonesian population has increased, as marked by the Diserable Dietary Pattern Score (Pola Pangan Harapan - PPH), by an average of 82.9 during the period of 2009 - 2013 at. Indonesia has also increased the availability of sustainable food and agricultural productivity. This is marked by the release of 57 new superior rice varieties (Varietas Unggul Baru - VUB), 25 VUB of corn and 10 VUB of soybean. The challenges faced in increasing the food production include the functional shift of agricultural land. To solve the problem, the government has accelerated the issuance of Regional Regulations on the allocations of areas for sustainable food agriculture and intensified agricultural research and development activities on an ongoing basis to create agricultural technology innovation. The nutritional status of pregnant women, infants and under-five indicate improvement, albeit still below expectation. The Basic Health Research (Riset Kesehatan Dasar - Riskesdas) reveals that the prevalence of wasting of under-five has decreased significantly from 13.6% in 2007 to 9.8% in 2016. The prevalence of under-five stunting (short and very short) has decreased from 36.8% in 2007 to 33.6% in 2016 (National Health Indicator Suvey or Survei Indikator Kesehatan Nasional -Sirkesnas, 2016. In addition, the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding for infants aged six months has increased from 15.3% in 2010 to 30.2% in 2013 (Riskesdas). Challenges faced in the improvement of food and nutrition is the lack of strong coordinated approach to improve food and nutrition across sectors. Therefore, the implementation of the First 1000 Days of Life Movement (Hari Pertama Kehidupan - HPK) has been intensified. Improvement of food and nutrition is closely related to education and environmental conditions. Education impacts behavior (parenting and eating patterns), which in turn affects 58

the nutritional status of children. Children born to parents with low educational level tend to have worse nutritional status . Therefore, access to education should be improved. The ratio of Net Enrollment Rate of females/males students in 2016 in primary schools and equivalent education program of the poor and vulnerable population groups is 99.93%; at the Junior High School level and the equivalent education program is 107.93%; and at the Senior High School level and the equivalent education program is 112.19%. These have indicated that the participation level of girls in primary and secondary education has increased over time. The nutritional status is also related to household access to clean water and sanitation. The proportion of the poor and vulnerable people (40 % of the lowest-income population) who receive clean water has increased from 61.57% in 2015 to 61.94% in 2016. In the same period, access to sanitation has increased from 47.76% to 54.12%. Basic social services to reduce the poverty incidence and improve population welfare are a precondition for the poor to gain a sustainable livelihood. The provision of basic social services for the poor is the main responsibility of the government and is implemented through the enactment of affirmative policy to fulfil the basic rights of the poor. The improved access to basic services for the poor will increase health, well-being, and educational level and thus facilitate the attainment of sustainable livelihood. 3.b. Enhancing Economic Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihoods Poverty reduction and welfare improvement in Indonesia is indicated by the increase in sustainable livelihood along with the decline of Indonesian population living below USD 1.25 per capita per day (PPP) from 28.32% in 2006 to 8,8% in 2015. In addition, the national unemployment rate has decreased from 10.28% in 2006 to 5.61% in 2016. GDP per capita has also increased from USD 1,420 in 2006 to USD 3,605 in 2016. This achievement was, among others, contributed by the more available economic opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. Infrastructure construction and industrial development supports opening of new economic opportunities. Achievements in infrastructure construction are demonstrated by the acceleration of road infrastructure, toll roads, railways, ports and airports, particularly in the eastern regions of Indonesia to reduce poverty and inequality. The steady road conditions reached 94% in 2014, railroad lengths increased by almost 100% in the last four years, ports increased by 244 during the last three years. Assigning priority of infrastructure construction in backward, remote, and frontier areas, has reduced price disparities of everyday needs, and helps reduce the burden of the low income and poor people. Infrastructure development is the foundation for industrial development. By 2016, 3 (three) new industrial areas has operated in Eastern Indonesia. The Indonesian industrial development is focused on labor-intensive industries and industries that process local resources. Industries in this category are able to absorb a large amount of workforce, increase value added, as well as provide multiplier effects to the local and surrounding areas. Through the development of agglomeration and deepening of industries, employments will be higher and are closely related to poverty reduction. The manufacturing industry sector is able to absorb a workforce of more than 12% of the total workforce every year. The industrial sector is the largest contributor to the GDP, followed by the agricultural sector. The contribution of the non-oil and gas processing industry to the GDP has increased since 2013, although the value is not yet significant. The challenges of developing inclusive industries and infrastructure are, among others, limited budget that is being addressed through partnerships with the private sector and alternative financing schemes, i.e. Non-Annual State Budget (Pembiayaan Investasi Non Anggaran Pemerintah - PINA) investments and infrastructure financing guarantees. The challenges of the decreased contribution of the industrial sector to the GDP are addressed by the policy that recognizes the establishment of new industrial zones as a national priority. The development of pro-poor-oriented industries is realized with the development of agriculturalbased industries as well as local resources, and the development of labor-intensive industries. Increased economic opportunities for sustainable livelihoods are also achieved in the marine sector in Indonesia. Besides rich in terrestrial resources, as an archipelagic 59

country with the world’s largest marine area, Indonesia has enormous marine resources. By 2016, Indonesia has designated 17.9 million hectares marine conservation area consisting of 165 Marine Protected Areas (MPA), of the 20 million hectares targeted by 2020. Indonesia is also focusing the management of the MPA to ensure the improvement of the people’s welfare. The MPAensures the sustainability of nursery grounds and spawning grounds, so that the economically valuable fish can be consumed by the community in a sustainable and responsible manner. The economic values of the conservation areas are implemented through fishing activities, cultivation, marine tourism, research and education. Indonesia also explicitly combats illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries (IUU Fishing). To support small-scale fishermen, during the period of 2012-2016, Indonesia has provided small credits to the fisheries sector with an average increased credit volume of 10 percent per year. During the same period, the number of small credit recipients in the fisheries sector has also increased significantly from 6,644 recipients (2012) to 48,513 recipients (2016). In the framework to protect small fishermen, insurance assistance, certification of land rights of fishermen, the establishment of cooperatives and information systems for fishermen have been provided. Challenges in the utilization of fishery and marine resources are, among others, the sometime still ineffective management of the marine conservation areas. This requires increased institutional and infrastructure facilities in the management of the marine conservation areas. Another challenge is the unavailability of the necessary support to improve fishery production after IUU fishing eradication. This include adequate facilities, infrastructure and human resources needed to utilize fishery potentials that previously was illegally taken by foreign ships. Another challenge is in providing assistance to small fishermen while preventing the occurrence of over fishing. Preparing regulation to arrange the utilization of funding aids for small-scale fishermen by maintaining the sustainable use of fish resources are issues that need to be addressed. 4. ENABLING ENVIRONMENT The achievement of interrelated and mutually-reinforcing goals with regard to the two aspects that lead to poverty alleviation and welfare improvement in Indonesia cannot be separated from the support of enabling environment i.e. partnership, gender equality, data availability, and financing. 4.a. Partnership Partnership among stakeholders in SDGs implementation for poverty alleviation and prosperity improvement is very much needed because poverty is not an issue that can be solved solely by the government. The implementation of policies related to accessibility of basic social services, inclusive development, smallscale agricultural and fisheries development should be supported by private sector, social organizations and academics. Such join efforts should be complemented by synchronization of policies and o synergy between stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels. Multi-stakeholders partnership is also useful to improve the capacity of all parties, including government institutions, non-state actors, and sub national governments. Partnerships through the use of innovative mechanisms are not only useful for the implementation of SDGs, but also address Indonesia’s diversity. For example, the use of cashless mechanisms that can increase target accuracy, reduce fraud, and simultaneously encourage financial inclusion has been applied in ,the Healthy Indonesia Card, Smart Indonesia Card, Indonesia Welfare Card and the Family Hope Program. The system requires partnerships between the national and sub national governments, supported by the private and banking sector in using an Integrated Database for the poor to apply the non-cash payment system. In addition, assistance for insurance premiums to protect small fishermen, has also been initiated since 2016. 60

4.b. Gender Equality and Equity Gender equality and equity is an enabling factor in achieving all Goals of SDGs that has also been mainstreamed in the Indonesian development agenda through the enactment of special regulations on Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting. In the VNR 2017, gender is an enabling factor for health, basic services, education, politics and managerial, technology, financial services including micro-finance that is reflected by disaggregated data. Child marriages is an important issue that affect the achievement of the SDGs targets. Most women who get married at a young age still live in the lowest income level households 3. In 2016, 20% of women between 20-24 years old were married for the first time before they reached 18 years old. Albeit decreasing almost 20% compared to 2008, the trend in the last eight years indicates a slower decline. A faster decline occurs to the proportion of women whose first marriage happen when they are below 15 years old. In 2016, the percentage of women between 20-24 years old married for the first time before the age of 15 has declined by one-third from 2008. The high percentage of young and child marriages have resulted to the high number of the Aged Specific Fertility Rate (ASFR) of women between 15-19 years old (i.e. 48 per 1000 females). This problem requires Communication, Information and Education program to improve public awareness. In politics, the opportunity for women in decision making has increased. In 2004 election, the representation of women in the House of Representatives is 11.84%. This proportion was increased to 17.86% in 2009 and slightly declined to 17.3% in 2014. The proportion of women in managerial positions (Echelon I-IV) in government agencies for period of 2011-2015 also shows an increasing trend. The low representation of women in parliament is still a gender issue, as indicated by less than 30% women representation as targeted in the affirmative action (Law Nr. 8/ Year 2012 on the General Election). Therefore, a continuous dissemination, public awareness, recruitment and capacity building on a regular basis is needed for women cadres and legislative candidates. While the Gender Mainstreaming Regulation in Indonesia is quite strong, there are still challenges in its implementation such as lack of mindset and political will for gender mainstreamning as well as the unavailability of disaggregated data. Thus, improving understanding and knowledge, as well as identifying lessons-learned are necessary for gender mainstreaming. 4.c. Data Availability The availability of qualified data and information is a key prerequisite to have an informed decision making and policy formulation to alleviate poverty and improve welfare, as well as to ensure that no one is left behind. The inclusive process in developing Indonesian SDGs metadata provides important lesson to formulate more measurable planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting. The SDGs also provide opportunities for data development, in particular to measure environmentally sustainable behaviour. One of the challenges related to data is disaggregation to ensure that no-one is left behind. At present, Indonesia is developing One data portal that is coordinated by Bappenas, Office of the Presidential Staff (KSP) and Statistics Indonesia (BPS). 4.d. Indonesia’s Role in the South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) As a lower middle income country, Indonesia would like to contribute to the effort of other fellow developing countries in advancing the SDG and has thus played a role as a “provider” country and not only as a “recipient” through its South-South and Triangular Cooperation program (SSTC – “KSST” in the Indonesian language). SSTC is a knowledge sharing 3

Delayed Progress, Data Analysis of Child Marriage in Indonesia, BPS and UNICEF, 2016

61

framework that benefits not only the assisted country but also Indonesia itself through international cooperation. Indonesia takes an inclusive SSTC framework and therefore the Government of Indonesia has involved various stakeholders in its implementation. Indonesia’s SSTC implementation is also directed to support poverty alleviation program in a wider context, in both Indonesia and other developing countries. A number of SSTC programs that support poverty alleviation include support for food security programs for farmers, animal husbandary and fishermen, assistance for agricultural equipments and machineries, expert assistance in the food crop agriculture and knowledge sharing on poverty alleviation programs such as the National Program for Community Empowerment and the aforementioned Family Hope Program (Program Keluarga Harapan - PKH). The Ministry of National Development Planning)/Bappenas also coordinates the Reverse Linkage program that is focused on poverty alleviation through community empowerment model, in the form of a Triangular cooperation involving Indonesia, IDB and IDB member countries. Several training programs conducted through the SSTC scheme are, among others, the triangular program on capacity building for Timor Leste road engineers in 2014 between the Government of Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Another example is training on development strategic partnership between faith-based organizations and Muslim leaders in Family Planning in 2014 and 2015 involving Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines. Challenges in the SSTC implementation include the limited source of domestic funding. To that end, the SSTC National Coordination Team has established partnerships with various parties, including development partners. The involvement of development partners is expected to support the implementation of Indonesia SSTC program more effectively and sustainably, not only in terms of funding, but also in the areas of institutional capacity building, implementation of pilot projects, and the development of innovative triangular cooperation modalities. 4.f. SDGs Financing Indonesia continues to improve the quality of government spending, starting with a more effective and efficient planning, enhancing cooperation between the government and private sector in financing strategic projects, and promoting bank services to support development. In terms of tax revenues, various attempts are made by the government through the implementation of Law no. 16 year 2016 on Tax Amnesty. This effort is made in order to reduce dependence on assistance from development partners (Official Development Assistance/ODA). Other alternative financing for the implementation of SDGs is from philanthropic and business funds, as well as religious social funds. The SDGs Indonesia Action Plan document will include contributions and commitments from non-state actors consisting of philanthropy and businesses and social organizations. The contribution of philanthropy and businesses will be documented, so that it can be measured, monitored and evaluated as part of achieving SDGs in Indonesia. Indonesia has also prepared guidelines for green banking and green financing. The Financial Services Authority has the role to support this sustainable finance program. The program involves cooperation of various stakeholders to provide financing for institutions that apply sustainable finance principles. In its implementation, it still needs increasing private awareness and supported by enabling regulation. The challenges of domestic resource mobilization are unsustainable activities which can potentially support sustainable development. In addition, the use of CSR funds may not fully reach the right beneficiaries and suitable programs, thus the mapping of CSR activities and program to synergize with the development program is required. 5. NEXT STEPS

62

For Indonesia, the implementation of SDGs means implementing its own national development program, since SDGs are in line with the vision and mission of the President (“Nawacita”) and the RPJMN 2015-2019. Most of the SDGs targets are aligned with national targets and therefore the required resources are secured. The remaining SDGs targets that have not been integrated in the RPJMN 2015-2019 but are relevant to the national development agenda will be developed in the national action plan. One of the main contributions of SDGs for Indonsia is to sharpen indicators of development achievement that are more measurable and to ensure that development benefits all. SDGs also strengthen inclusive development process through the involvement of stakeholders, including synergizing with international development partners. Indonesia is committed to regularly monitor SDGs achievements and conduct continuous improvements. Indonesia is open to share its SDGs mainstreaming experiences into national development which has taken an inclusive process involving all stakeholders in all phases and in institutional arrangements with the support of the SDGs Secretariat. Indonesia is also keen to learn from other countries’ experiences on SDGs implementation. Indonesia is committed to implement SDGs to achieve a prosperous and just Indonesia, in accordance with its national development goals. SDGs have provided meaningful contributions as the reference for sustainable development that is universally followed by developing and developed countries. Considering that Indonesia is the fourth largest populous country, the success of Indonesian development will contribute to the global welfare. 16.9% of Indonesia’s population is within the range of 15-24 years of age (2016), and Indonesia has thus the opportunity to benefit from the ‘demographic bonus’ in 2020-2040. Youth is therefore a great potential and investment for the sustainable development, and their involvement in the SDGs implementation process, either as beneficiary of development or as agents of change is very important. In the process of achieving sustainable development, Indonesia is in the stage of initiating the implementation of "Circular Economy" by optimally improving resource efficiency and reducing waste. In the future, Indonesia will develop policies to encourage circular economy that ensures Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) is implemented in the business cycles and business processes. The challenges of the SCP are effectively implementation of the policies which requires the changing of communities’ behavior towards sustainable consumption and production. Indonesia’s challenge to achieve SDGs is enormous, in particular to ensure that no one will be left behind for its 258 million people, spread over approximately 17 thousand islands, with vast differences in cultures, ethnics, religions and languages. However, the enormous challenge is not a source of concern for the Government of Indonesia, who is remain confident in its efforts. Hence the challenge will be addressed to ensure sustainable development could improve welfare and provide justice for all. Indonesia is also open and willing to cooperate with the global community toward the achievement of SDGs.

Italy [Originally submitted in English]

Facing a demanding challenge

63

Growing environmental, economic and social challenges put sustainable development at the core of the global agenda and induced the international community to act in order to strengthen and share worldwide sustainable development commitments. The last decade-long economic crisis has provided evidence for the growth of inequalities in Italy as well. A number of factors underlie this long-term process. Many of them are directly linked to the creation of “new winners and losers” as well as to the lack of appropriate responses to several critical issues: globalization, trade and financial integration, technological transformation, labour market, demographic trends, migration. Towards a new development path Identifying and sharing policy solutions capable of reviving and balancing growth and making it sustainable is thus essential. Spreading the benefits of an increased prosperity requires in turn a multidimensional and country-specific approach, since there is no preordained and universal formula. A set of coherent and effective policies is needed, going beyond an income-oriented approach, addressing other key dimensions of welfare and targeted socio-economic groups (in particular middle-class, low-income families). Inequality can only be effectively fought by adopting an integrated vision and restoring a sustainable, balanced and inclusive development. To this end, all available instruments must be used, including budgetary policies and structural reforms. More widely, the same approach continues to be followed – in line with the SDG’s domestic implementation policy agenda - for the management of our external relations and in the Italian participation to all major United Nations and international fora starting from our responsibility for 2017 of UN Security Council member. Italy, being fully aware of the global dimension of this challenge, has been actively promoting Agenda 2030 and its SDGs also in the context of its current G7 Presidency. Shaping and sharing a policy framework for sustainable development The definition of a strategic framework is crucial to lay the foundations for a sustainable future and adjust the undertaken national reform route in a long-term perspective. To this aim, Italy is actually engaged in integrating the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals to the economic, social and environmental programming, through drafting the “National Sustainable Development Strategy 2017/2030” (NSDS). Following the 2030 Agenda, the Strategy shapes a new vision towards a circular, lowemission economy, resilient to climate impacts and to other global changes endangering local communities, prioritising the fight against biodiversity loss, alteration of the fundamental biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus) and land-use change. At the same time, together with the European Union and its Member States we are working to define a common framework for addressing and reflecting the challenges of the 2030 Agenda. Once defined, the EU framework for SDGs will provide a main reference for Member States in setting their final strategic objectives. The external dimension: contributing to SDGs implementation all over the world The NSDS recognises that global challenges can be solved only through a joint effort of the international community and that Italy has to help partner countries to reach the same Goals that have to be reached domestically. The Three-year Strategic and Planning Document of the Italian Development Cooperation (which was reformed just before the adoption of the 2030 Agenda) related to the 2016-2018 period already adopts both content and structure of the Agenda. Macro-areas for action - that are reflected in the Partnership Section of the NSDS - have been re-arranged to take into account the integrated nature and the structure of the 17 SDGs and include new sectors for action – such as data for development and domestic resources mobilisation – together with those of more traditional engagement.

64

The Three-year Document served as a basis also for the active commitment of Italy in the elaboration of the new EU Consensus on Development. Consistently with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Government proposed and the Parliament approved a substantial increase of Italian Official Development Assistance funds for the year 2016. The increase has been doubled in 2017 and will be tripled in 2018 in order to allow Italy to contribute to the implementation of the “external dimension” of the Agenda. Feeding a multilevel process Following the spirit of the 2030 Agenda, civil society engagement and consultations with public and private institutions have been at the core of the NSDS process, from the context analysis drawing the distance in the SDGs achievement (“Positioning”) to the identification of main strengths and weaknesses to be addressed, leading to the definition of widely shared national objectives. More than 200 NGOs have been involved providing a valuable contribution to the context analysis and useful inputs to reflect the vision of the 2030 Agenda into the NSDS. Public national administrations cooperated throughout the process in order to set shared National Strategic Choices and Objectives, as well as to identify viable and existing means of implementation. Universities and research agencies were also hugely involved to verify and consolidate the technical-scientific basis and contents of the context analysis. Regional authorities also had an active role in collecting territorial issues and priorities.

Stakeholders involved in the NSDS definition process are directly engaged in carrying out initiatives linked to SDGs and NSDS implementation. Among the others, the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS), which gathers over 150 organizations in the economic and social field, launched in May 2017 the first Sustainable Development Festival, a large-scale awareness raising campaign to foster cultural-political reflections on the issue across the country. Asvis, in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea, is working to turn it into a yearly event and a point of reference for all SDGs-linked initiatives. Multilevel participation will also inform the NSDS implementation process, through the NSDS forum, where stakeholders and experts will contribute to monitoring and 65

assessment activities. Contributions from the Third Sector will be ensured, also thanks to a recently renewed regulatory framework. The 5Ps to deliver integrated strategic choices The NSDS is organized in five core areas: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. The former four areas mainly cover the domestic dimension; the latter covers principles and purposes of international cooperation, as integrating and qualifying part of Italian foreign policy, draft by law 125/2014. Each area identifies a system of priorities (National Strategic Choices), delivering strategic goals. The goals are strongly integrated, as they embody and synthesize the most relevant issues emerged from the consultation process. The implementation of the NSDS is tightly interlinked with the existing national programming documents, namely the National Reform Programme and the Economic and Financial Document, as well as with the existing and binding objectives set by the European Semester (i.e. EU2020 targets) which have to be fulfilled and are accounted for.

66

Setting National Priorities at short term In the next five years, Italy will focus on bringing the country back to at least the precrisis socioeconomic prosperity conditions. The strategic topics to be addressed by the Government and envisaged within the framework of the NSDS are the following: decreasing poverty, inequality, discrimination, unemployment (particularly among youth and women), ensuring an environmentally sustainable economic development, increasing the opportunities for training, education and social progress, restoring the competitiveness of Italian companies through a “fourth industrial revolution” based on innovative and sustainable technologies. Implementing, monitoring and assessing NSDS results The NSDS is endorsed by the Italian Council of Ministers. A future Plan of Action will be developed by the end of the year and will include numerical and quantitative targets at 2030, as well as monitoring and review mechanisms and analytical models capable of measuring the impacts of policies on the NSDS objectives. The NSDS will undergo an annual review and monitoring process. The Prime Minister will take the lead in coordinating and managing the Strategy, with the support of the Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, respectively for the internal and external dimension. The Ministry of Finance will be tasked to create strong synergies between the NSDS implementation and the formal economic 67

policies and to coordinate models required to define such objectives. Given the importance of declining the SDGs on a local scale and provided that some of the areas of competence and responsibilities rely not only on the central administration, the Government, through the State and Regions Conference and in accordance with Art.34, of the Legislative Decree n.152 (April 3rd 2006), will enhance local and regional authorities to be active and take part to the implementation process. The Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea will ensure the participation of civil society and relevant stakeholders by creating a Forum on the Strategy for Sustainable Development building on the positive experience of the NSDS consultation process and ensuring continuity by setting up similar multi-level consultation processes. A huge effort is also being made by the Italian statistics system, together with the European, in order to guarantee at the earliest the availability of data and indicators gearing the Inter-agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs). To this aim, the National Statistical System is progressively releasing sets of indicators widely based on the BES project, launched in 2011 to measure equitable and sustainable well-being (BES) besides economic conditions. It considers economic parameters alone as inadequate to evaluate the progress of societies and views them to be complemented by social and environmental information as well as by measures of inequality and sustainability. For the first time, in 2017 4 BES indicators have been introduced within the Economy and Financial Document, following national legislation promoting the integration of BES within economic programming (L.163/2016).

Japan [Originally submitted in English]

JAPAN’S EFFORTS TOWARD ACHIEVING THE SDGS THROUGH PPAP, PUBLIC PRIVATE ACTION FOR PARTNERSHIP 1. Fundamental Idea Prior to the formulation of the 2030 Agenda, Japan was already implementing measures in an integrated manner to build a sustainable society through environmental, economic and social improvements. Japan has also embarked on creating an inclusive and participatory society in which every individual can achieve his or her full potential. In line with this ideal, Japan has forged ahead by reforming its relevant systems. Also, Japan has set human security as the guiding principle that lies at the foundation of its foreign assistance and has placed issues such as health, disaster risk reduction and gender equality, which are listed in the SDGs as major challenges to be addressed, at the core of its international cooperation. Based on this experience, Japan played a leading role in the formulation of the 2030 Agenda, including the individual goals and targets. Japan aims to become a role model for the world in the implementation of measures to achieve the SDGs and will make efforts both in Japan and in cooperation with other countries to achieve sustainable societies worldwide where no one is left behind. 2. Institutional Framework and the Implementation Guiding Principles

68

On May 20, 2016, the Government of Japan established a new Cabinet body called the “SDGs Promotion Headquarters”, headed by the Prime Minister and composed of all ministers. The SDGs Promotion Headquarters was established to foster close cooperation among relevant ministries and government agencies, and to lead the comprehensive and effective implementation of SDGs-related measures as a control tower. Under the SDGs Promotion Headquarters, we have held roundtable meetings on items related to the promotion and implementation of the 2030 Agenda, attended by representatives from a wide range of stakeholders, including NGO/NPOs, academia, the private sector and international organizations. So far, roundtable meetings have been held in September and November, 2016, and we have also conducted public comments. Through these processes, the government has widely sought the opinions of citizens and has held dialogues with a range of stakeholders. Based on these discussions, at the second meeting of the SDGs Promotions Headquarters held in December 2016, we adopted the SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles, which represent Japan’s national strategy to address the major challenges for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In the Guiding Principles, Japan established the following vision: “Become a leader toward a future where economic, social and environmental improvements are attained in an integrated, sustainable and resilient manner while leaving no one behind.” Besides the vision, the document includes five implementation principles and an approach to the follow-up and review processes. By restructuring the SDGs in light of Japan’s national context, it has identified eight priority areas among the goals and targets of the SDGs on which Japan should focus: 1) Empowerment of All People (related SDGs: 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12) 2) Achievement of Good Health and Longevity (related SDG: 3) 3) Creating Growth Markets, Revitalization of Rural Areas, and Promoting Science Technology and Innovation (related SDGs: 2, 8, 9, 11) 4) Sustainable and Resilient Land Use, Promoting Quality Infrastructure (related SDGs: 2, 6, 9, 11) 5) Energy Conservation, Renewable Energy, Climate Change Countermeasures, and Sound Material-Cycle Society (related SDGs: 7, 12, 13) 6) Conservation of Environment, including Biodiversity, Forests and the Oceans (related SDGs: 2, 3, 14, 15) 7) Achieving Peaceful, Safe and Secure Societies (related SDG: 16) 8) Strengthening the Means and Frameworks for the Implementation of the SDGs (related SDG: 17) In the Annex to the Guiding Principles, 140 specific measures to be implemented both at home and abroad are listed together with indicators. 3. Stakeholder Engagement The Government of Japan attaches great importance to implementing measures for the 2030 Agenda, monitoring progress, and conducting follow-up and review activities across agency boundaries and through public-private partnerships; in other words, through Public Private Action for Partnership (PPAP), in order to achieve the SDGs. It will do this in cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders, including local governments, NGOs/NPOs, academia, the private sector, international organizations and other entities, parliamentarians, scientists and cooperatives. It was to this end that the Government of Japan established the SDGs Promotion Roundtable Meetings, mentioned above, comprising a wide range of stakeholders. The roundtable meetings were held to draft the SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles as well as in preparation for the voluntary national review. Also, a variety of efforts by other stakeholders, such as NPOs and NGOs, private companies, local governments, science community and parliamentarians at home and overseas, to promote the SDGs have started to spread. In order to further encourage the private sector to work on the SDGs, the SDGs Promotion Headquarters decided to create the 69

“Japan SDGs Award,” which will be presented to leading initiatives by private companies and organizations during its meeting in June 2017. On the other hand, public awareness of the SDGs is not yet sufficient. In order to promote SDGs-related measures as a national movement, it is critical to promote the understanding of every single Japanese person about the SDGs. To this end, under the leadership of SDGs Promotion Headquarters, Japan will work hard on raising public awareness through communication campaigns in collaboration with all the stakeholders. Furthermore, in order to nurture in children, who will lead society in 2030 and beyond, the competencies to be the future creators of sustainable societies and leaders of world, we are promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), as well as encouraging learning about SDGs in all settings, including schools, households, workplaces and local communities.

Jordan [Originally submitted in English]

INTRODUCTION Jordan has made considerable economic, social and human development achievements over the past decades, investing significantly in infrastructure, human resources, and improving upon living standards. Highly urbanized and with limited natural resources, the country relies heavily upon its services sector, which fosters an economy particularly vulnerable to exogenous influences. The country lies at the centre of one of the most volatile regions in the world and has been historically accustomed to sudden influxes of population from neighbouring countries seeking safety and security. Jordan has opened its borders to Palestinians, Iraqis and others in need many times in the recent past. Since 2011, the kingdom has been called upon again to accept the stream of Syrian refugees fleeing the violence in their homeland and there are now 1.3 million Syrians in Jordan. Overall, the number of registered refugees with UNRWA and UNHCR has reached 2.8 million, making Jordan the largest refugee-hosting country worldwide, when compared to the size of its population. Jordan was one of the first countries globally, and in the Arab Region, to take action towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Overall, considerable achievements were made during the first ten years, especially in the area of poverty eradication, maternal and child health, communicable diseases, universal primary education, and environmental sustainability. Abject poverty was reduced to less than 0.5 percent and absolute poverty rates were further reduced while infant, under-five and maternal mortality rates were significantly lowered, and universal primary education was achieved. However, during the past decade, the country has faced a number of substantial challenges, most notably: the 2008 global financial crisis and rise in oil prices, generalized instability throughout the region and the spill over effects on investment, trade and tourism, and, finally, the tremendous impact of the Syria crisis, including the refugee crisis and resulting population growth which have impacted upon overall development gains in Jordan. According to the 2015 census, Jordan's population now stands at 9.5 million. Around thirty percent of the population are non-Jordanians and more than 1.3 million are Syrians, with over 80 percent of Syrian refugees living in host communities. Such circumstances put increased 70

pressure on Jordan's limited resources, especially sustainable management of water resources, and impose severe stress on its public services, economic growth, trade, exports, tourism and investment, in turn leading to an increase in the budget deficit and public debt. The annual direct cost of hosting Syrians in the kingdom amounts to approximately 2.348 billion US dollar while the annual indirect cost is about US$ 3.1 billion. Jordan has been coping with the repercussions of the Syria crisis with support from the international community, with recognition of the global public good that the country has been providing. Yet, the protracted crisis in Syria has now entered its seventh year and represents a serious threat to national resilience. The country has embarked on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), despite the numerous challenges Jordan is currently facing. Jordan remains determined to safeguard recent development achievements while ensuring a resilient, prosperous and inclusive economy. METHODOLOGY AND PROCESS OF PREPARING THE REVIEW Jordan is committed to the 2030 Agenda and to leaving no one behind. The Government of Jordan has opted to prepare its first Voluntary National Review and present it at the High Level Political Forum in the July 2017 session. Central to this decision was the desire to benefit from the national deliberations, and not solely from the report produced. In addition, through its participation, Jordan aspires to further strengthen national ownership of the 2030 Agenda and accelerate its implementation. The process has been led by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC), as the focal point for SDG implementation, with support from the United Nations Country Team in Jordan, including non-resident agencies. The National Higher Committee on Sustainable Development has also provided overall strategic guidance and supervision. Extensive consultations on the way forward were made with line ministries, Major Groups and Other stakeholders (MGOs) using different approaches. These included: a number of meetings and workshops with civil society organizations, including organizations focused on human rights, women's rights, and community development; organizations working with youth and volunteers; the private sector; workers' unions; local councils and committees; academia; and science and technology communities. Special attention was dedicated to ensuring the inclusion of women, youth, children, and people with disabilities. Representatives of Syrian and other refugees were also involved in the workshops and discussions. THE POLICY AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT - PROGRESS SINCE ADOPTING THE SDGS Creating Ownership of the SDGs Between 2012 and 2014, Jordan was heavily engaged at all levels in the global consultations for the development of the post-2015 agenda. Furthermore, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah was one of the 27 eminent world leaders who provided advice to the UN Secretary General on the shape of the 2030 Agenda’s framework. This engagement led to a natural sense of ownership of the new 2030 Agenda and in March, 2016, the implementation was initiated during a national workshop including approximately 100 representatives from government and MGOs in Jordan. During the consultation, the government presented its roadmap to fostering ownership, implementing the Agenda and achieving the SDGs. The roadmap includes the following priority elements: • Raising awareness of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its goals, targets, indicators and means of implementation;

71

• Prioritization and mapping of goals, targets and indicators with national planning frameworks; • Mainstreaming within national plans; • Mainstreaming within sub-national plans/at governorate and municipality levels; • Strengthening national statistical systems and availability of data; • Gender mainstreaming; • Further strengthening of institutional mechanisms; • SDG costing; - Financing; - Enhancing monitoring and evaluation systems; and • Developing capacity.

The roadmap is considered an important building block for the implementation of the Agenda and will be regularly reviewed and refined as part of the overall monitoring of national development plans and mechanisms. Mainstreaming the SDGs in National Frameworks Jordan has focused on ensuring its policy, environment and institutional frameworks are conducive to the commencement of the 2030 Agenda’s strong implementation, building on achievements and successful mechanisms put in place during MDG action. The following key visionary and planning documents and frameworks work to support effective SDG implementation: Jordan 2025: A National Vision and Strategy was launched in 2015 and represents a thorough, 10- year socio-economic blueprint for the country that takes into consideration the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, with the objective of achieving a prosperous, resilient and inclusive economy while strengthening reform and inclusion. Executive Development Programmes translate "Jordan 2025" into actionable and measurable development programmes through three or four-year cycles. The EDP for 20162019 is currently under implementation. Both "Jordan 2025" and the EDP are in harmony with the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, and both have adopted a set of strategic objectives related to the empowerment of women in health, education, poverty, social protection, employment and participation in the labour force.

72

Governorate Development Programmes have been developed for each of the 12 governorates across Jordan, translating national priorities at the sub-national level and taking into consideration their own priorities and challenges, in line with comparative advantages found within each governorate. The Jordan Response Plan for the Syria Crisis (JRP) (2017-2019) is a pioneering plan that brings together humanitarian and resilience efforts under a single, national framework for the benefit of both refugees and host communities. In addition to the above, a number of important national strategies, plans and enabling laws have been developed, putting in place a strong policy environment for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including: the Comprehensive National Plan for Human Rights (2016-2025); the National Strategy for Women; the National Strategy for People with Disabilities; the National Strategy for Human Resource Development (2016-2025); the National Strategy for Reproductive Health/Family Planning (2013-2018); the Jordanian National Action Plan to Implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325; the National Strategy for Youth (under development); the National Climate Change Policy (2013-2020); the National Strategy and Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production (2016-2025); the National Policy and Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (2013-2017); and the National Plan for Green Growth, among others. Institutional mechanisms In order to ensure improved alignment, and emphasize commitment to all SDGs attached to national priorities, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda builds on existing frameworks and mechanisms, which are further refined to allow for better harmonization. The following chart clarifies the institutional mechanisms used to anchor the 2030 Agenda’s implementation and the interrelations between a variety of committee and institutional mechanisms.

The National Higher Committee for Sustainable Development was expanded in March, 2017 to include the type of broader government and civil society participation required for strategic alignment with the 2030 Agenda. The Coordination Committee provides direct supervision and management during the preparation of the EDPs and ensures mainstreaming of the SDGs within the national plans, and connectedness between working groups. 73

The Working Groups define long and short-term objectives and actions based on the EDP and in alignment with the SDG goals, targets and indicators. To ensure better alignment between the national priorities and the SDGs, the formulation of the groups was amended and two new working groups on "Gender Mainstreaming" and "Human Rights and Freedom of Expression" were established. Members of the above mentioned new groups will also be embedded within the other groups to ensure connectedness and complementarity. Goals and Targets An initial mapping of goals, targets and indicators of the 2030 Agenda and national priorities demonstrates that all goals and targets are important for Jordan, albeit to varying degrees. The outcome of this preliminary mapping indicates that there are strong linkages among the two, with room for further mainstreaming within the EDPs in upcoming years. The status of available indicators was also reviewed, and initially categorized into the three tiers of indicators. (I, II, III) On average, 40% of the indicators are considered as tier I, varying from 0% to 14% for Goals 14 and 15 respectively and 67% for Goal 7. It is important to note however, the preliminary nature of this endeavour which will be substantiated and disaggregated by a more thorough process in years to come. The Department of Statistics has the responsibility of quality assurance and clearance of all indicators and a special SDG team within the Department was created for this purpose. The responsibilities related to quality assurance for the SDG indicators will be reflected in the National Statistical Strategy, currently under development, which will also focus on the importance of strengthening the quality of administrative records in covering important data gaps in the future. THEMATIC FOCUS - ERADICATING POVERTY AND PROMOTING PROSPERITY IN A CHANGING WORLD; JORDAN'S PERSPECTIVE The theme for this year's HLPF on Sustainable Development will focus on "Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity in a Changing World". This is at the heart of the Jordan 2025 blueprint which is built upon four pillars: citizens, society, businesses and government, towards a resilient and prosperous Jordan. Pivotal to this is maintaining security and stability, safeguarding development gains; addressing the increased pressures on resources and services across the country; and systematically working to reduce all forms of disparities, including geographic and gender disparities. Jordan's full report to the HLPF addresses poverty eradication from Jordan's perspective, in line with its national priorities. Goals 1, 2, 3, 5, 9 and 14 will be part of the review, however, the review will also include an overview of priorities of key importance to Jordan. The report will briefly touch upon key areas including: • • • • • • • •

Sustainable economic growth and decent work Social protection, poverty and food security Health care Water Energy Environment and climate change Empowerment of women Justice, participation and enhancement of the judicial environment

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION Jordan remains committed to increasing and strengthening internal financing and has linked capital expenditures to the EDP thereby ensuring priority funding dedicated to the Agenda’s implementation which is mainstreamed in the EDP.

74

However, an increased and steadier flow of further medium and long-term commitments and support from the international community is crucial to achieving the SDGs. To remain resilient in the face of the ongoing regional challenges, and to meet the sizeable investment needs of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Jordan will continue to pursue internal and external innovative funding approaches, with a special focus on publicprivate partnerships and other financing tools, building on experience with complimentary humanitarian and development financing. Support from the international community to address the repercussions of the Syria crisis will continue to be an important element in the means of implementation of the SDGs. Increased support in the form of grants and concessional finance was committed in 2016 to Jordan as part of the Jordan Compact, with contracted funding fulfilling approximately 61% of the requested funding needs for that year. This represents a vast improvement compared to commitments fulfilling just 30% of the required in previous years. In this regard, the Jordan Compact provides a unique model that can be further replicated based on lessons learned. The launch of the Concessional Financing Facility represents another breakthrough developed in response to Jordan’s call for the consideration of innovative financing schemes to upper middle income countries. Jordan will be among the first beneficiaries of the Concessional Financing Facility. In order to improve the efficiency of public investment management (PIM), the government has also developed a “PIM Action Plan” (2016-2018) for the formulation, preparation and evaluation of projects to ensure an efficient investment process, maximize the expected return on investment projects and ensure their strong contribution to sustainable development in the country. The Government of Jordan and the UN are on track to become the first formal ‘Delivering as One’ country in the Arab region, shifting to this strategic programming in the upcoming 2018-2022 programme cycle. This will ensure better agility and coordination among actors, and within the UN system in supporting SDG implementation. In the same vein, Jordan will also pursue longer term cooperation and funding mechanisms with other bilateral and multilateral donors. In addition to financial resources, strong capacity development support is required to ensure efficient and effective implementation to meet all goals. This includes: enhancing the capacities of the national statistical system; augmenting national capabilities surrounding results based management, strengthening monitoring and evaluation; mainstreaming the SDGs into national development plans; localizing the SDGs and ensuring SDG costing; developing coordination mechanisms at all levels in addition to technical capacities to heighten SDG action. Science, technology and innovation provide important implementation tools. Based on the lessons learned in the implementation of the current National Policy and Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), a detailed plan will be developed focused on the role of academia and the STI sector in achieving the SDGs. NEXT STEPS AND THE WAY FORWARD The early implementation of the 2030 Agenda has benefitted from favourable political will and support at the highest level, a facilitating policy environment and institutional mechanisms, building upon the successful experience gained in the MDG implementation. However, there have been challenges. As the country faces the real threat of losing development gains due to continuing regional instabilities, the pressure exerted on the country's infrastructure and services due to the Syria crisis is compounded by insufficient funding. In the coming years, the government will focus on strengthening coordination at all levels, on mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda into its current and future EDPs and JRPs, and also work to improve the availability of data to better enable monitoring and evaluation. 75

Moving forward, the roadmap will be further refined to coordinate the work of different national and international entities working towards the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda. Raising awareness of the Sustainable Development Agenda and its goals, targets, indicators and means of implementation: The draft SDG Communication Strategy, currently under development, will work to strategically address a variety of audiences including: civil society organizations, private sector, youth, women, students, academia, parliamentarians and municipal councils, using different tools including written and visual material, workshops, panel discussions, social media and simulation models. Prioritization and mapping of goals, targets and indicators with national planning frameworks: Conducting regular technical meetings and reviews facilitating agreement on baselines and targets for all indicators while conducting a gap analysis to identify areas of concern. Mainstreaming within national plans: Continuing to mainstream the SDGs in the current and future EDPs and sectoral plans, taking into consideration the economic, social and environmental elements of sustainable development and their interconnectedness. Mainstreaming into sub-national plans: Starting in one to two governorates selected according to clear criteria, and expanding mainstreaming systematically to all governorates. Strengthening national statistical systems and availability of data: Providing technical support to the Department of Statistics (DOS) to ensure the availability of missing data from DOS or other data providers and robust quality control mechanisms. Gender mainstreaming: Continuing to mainstream gender throughout all national development plans in line with the SDGs, mapping of gender indicator gaps and the establishment of a gender database. Further strengthening of institutional mechanisms: Continuing to adopt an efficient framework that ensures everyone's involvement in planning, implementing, and monitoring of development. SDG Costing: Developing a mathematical model based on the existing situation and future projections to calculate the cost of achieving the SDGs in line with national priorities. This would require technical support for the establishment of such models. Financing: In order to ensure adequate domestic and external funding and maximize the achievement of the SDGs, the government will focus on the following priorities: • Continue directing capital funding towards achieving comprehensive and sustainable development through the funding of national plans and priorities; • Further strengthen Public Private Partnerships (PPP), given their important role in implementing economically and socially viable strategic projects within a conducive legislative and business environment; • Develop a business and investment environment that encourages local and foreign investment, especially ensuring that Jordan enjoys a competitive advantage in this field, in addition to legislation, privileges and incentives; • Strengthen the competitiveness of Jordanian products in international markets and increase the growth of national exports by opening new markets and strengthening the rules of origin in international agreements, providing Jordan with a competitive edge; • Promote regional cooperation in the areas of trade, transport, water and energy, leading to economic and social development without harming the environment; • Promote North-South and South-South cooperation among countries, especially since Jordan enjoys a strategic position between Asia, Africa and Europe; • Cooperate with developed economies in the fields of knowledge transfer and technology for the achievement of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; • Secure funding for the national plan to reduce emissions submitted at the Paris Climate Change Conference, which strives for a global contribution to climate change mitigation;

76

• Strengthen the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with the private sector, ensuring engagement in sustainable development and community service.

Enhancing monitoring and evaluation systems through the establishment of a national monitoring system and dashboard on SDG indicators and achievement available for all on the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation's website. Preparation of annual progress reports and national progress reports every four years. Developing capacity in planning, mainstreaming and localizing the SDGs, including the inclusion of gender mainstreaming, in addition to strengthening the national statistical system, monitoring and evaluation systems and report drafting. CONCLUSION The world can continue to count on Jordan to remain an indispensable global partner in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Within this turbulent region, Jordan remains a safe haven, representing a sincere partner in the pursuit of lasting peace. We must be mindful that Jordan cannot do this alone as the magnitude of the pressure exerted on the country’s infrastructure and basic services due to the current crisis in Syria creates challenges along the path of SDG implementation. Sustained and expanded medium and long-term financial and technical support to Jordan is more critical than ever in safeguarding hard-earned development gains and ensuring resilience in the face of an unpredictable future and the quest for sustainable development.

Kenya [Originally submitted in English]

1.0 BACKGROUND Kenya has been a top advocate of Agenda 2030. Kenya was a member of the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons who advised the United Nations Secretary General on the global development framework beyond 2015. The Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN Ambassador Macharia Kamau co-chaired the UN General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)mandated to develop a set of sustainable development goals. In 2015, Kenya was already in the 8th year of implementing its long term Economic blueprint, the Kenya Vision 2030, which is being implemented in 5-year rolling Medium Term Plans (MTP). By the time the SDGs were adopted, the second MTP (2013-2017) was in its third year of implementation. The process of the preparation of the third MTP (2018- 2022) and the second generation County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) is ongoing in which SDGs and Africa Agenda 2063 will be mainstreamed. Kenya has prepared its first report reviewing the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. The review was highly consultative involving Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs); County Governments; Development Partners; Civil Society Organizations (CSOs); special groups including youth and persons with disabilities and the private sector. To ensure wider consultation, umbrella bodies held consultations with their members and prepared reports that were the inputs into the country report.

77

2.0 KEY MILESTONES Mapping the SDGs with Vision 2030: Each of the 17 SDGs was mapped with Vision 2030 Second Medium Term Plan (MTP) objectives to ensure the global development framework and its implementation is directly linked towards achieving both Vision 2030 and SDGs. MDGs End Term Report: A study was carried out covering the period 2000-2015 to assess the progress made in achievements of the MDGs, document the experiences, challenges and lessons learnt during the implementation. The report presents recommendations that greatly provide the foundation for the implementation of the Agenda 2030. SDGs Road Map: An SDGs Road Map has been prepared with seven broad areas that will guide the transition process in Kenya. The seven areas are: mapping of stakeholders and establishing partnerships, advocacy and sensitization, domestication/localization, mainstreaming and accelerating implementation, resource mobilization, tracking and reporting and capacity building. The launch of the SDGs in Kenya on 14th September 2016 created awareness among stakeholders and rallied them behind implementation. Institutional framework: The Ministry of Devolution and Planning coordinates the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs in Kenya. The SDGs focal point within the Ministry offers technical backstopping for SDGs within government and also among stakeholders. An Inter-Agency Technical Committee drawing membership from the line Ministries, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, National Council for Population and Development, representatives from the civil society organizations, private sector among others has been set up. Mechanism of coordination between the two levels of government has been worked out with the establishment of SDGs Liaison office within the secretariat of the Council of Governors (COG). Mainstreaming SDGs in policy and planning: The government directed all Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to mainstream the SDGs into policy, planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation systems and processes. As a result, all SDGs targets and indicators have been mapped against the mandates of the MDAs and assigned the SDGs to the respective development actors. In addition, the 2018-2022 Strategic Plan guidelines have been reviewed to ensure that the SDGs are mainstreamed in MDAs' Strategic Plans. The SDGs have also been mainstreamed in the Performance Contracting and MDAs submit quarterly progress reports on a quarterly basis. Capacity Building: The SDGs contact officers in the line ministries and officers in charge of planning and budgeting among others have been trained using a standardized training kit in training institutions. Emphasis is given to the Training of Trainers (TOTs). Data, Monitoring and Reporting: The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics has undertaken an indicator mapping and identified 128 indicators out of the 230 global indicators that can be measured with the available data or data that can be produced within 1-2 years with minimum effort. Advocacy and awareness creation: IEC materials on SDGs have been produced and disseminated. Social media platforms which include Facebook, Twitter, email, WhatsApp are being used to disseminate SDGs messages to the public. Sensitization forums covering different stakeholders have been held. The coalition of civil society on SDGs in collaboration with the government has also been undertaking community outreach programmes on Agenda 2030. SDGs implementation: Kenya has been implementing policies and strategies geared towards advancing implementation of the SDGs and this has resulted in commendable progress as outlined in the main report. The following is a highlight of some of the innovative initiatives to fast tract the SDGs in the health and water sectors:

78

• The Beyond Zero Campaign: An Initiative by H.E. the First Lady, Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta to accelerate economic and social development in Kenya through the health facet. Mobile clinics have been delivered to all county referral hospitals. The mobile clinics have been able to treat mothers and children who would otherwise have been obliged to walk miles to seek treatment. • Mother waiting home (KIROR): An initiative of West Pokot County Government and is a home outside their home and a home outside the health facility. Expectant mothers move to KIROR near a health facility a few days to their expected day of delivery and are monitored during labour by the health personnel at the health facility thereby reducing congestion at the health facility while at the same time getting prompt services of a qualified personnel during delivery. • Commodity exchange programme: The county Government of Embu has introduced the commodity exchange programme. A county commodity security/Exchange team is created on WhatsApp social platform. Sub county pharmacists facilitate the collection of commodities from surplus sites and transfer them to needy sites. • Water ATMs: The Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company has installed water ATMs enabling city residents living in informal settlements to access quality water cheaply. The ATMs use AQtap technology and the residents pay for water using mobile technology. This has reduced the cost of water to the community as well as improved revenue collection by the company. • Social Protection Programmes: These are programmes to address poverty. They include the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF); the Hunger and Safety Net Programme (HSNP); Subsidized Basic Education; Empowerment funds targeting vulnerable groups; preference and reservation of 30% in public procurement to vulnerable groups; Establishment of Huduma centres to facilitate access to various Public Services and information using a One-Stop Shop concept; harnessing digital technologies for financial inclusion (mobile money transfer) and development of Public Participation guidelines. The Revenue Allocation and Equalization Funds targets Counties with high poverty indices. • Addressing climate change: The Government is in the process of integrating climate change into the curriculum for primary and secondary levels of education. The Climate Change Act 2016 highlights the climate change response measures and actions, the roles of each of the stakeholders in mitigating effects of climate change and how to engage the public.

3.0 REGIONAL COOPERATION TO ADDRESS THE SDGS Kenya has participated in Somalia Peace Keeping Missions; signed treaties on cultural exchange programmes with 51 countries hosting Kenya Missions and is the chair of InterCountry Quality Nodes on peace education in Africa. Kenya is currently developing the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Project, the largest integrated transformative infrastructure project in Africa. Kenya has already placed a total BAN on plastic bags with effect from August 2017 as per the (EAC) Polythene Materials Control Bill, 2016 proposal. 4.0 CHALLENGES Inadequate disaggregated data • High stakeholder expectations • Inadequate funding for SDGs •

5.0 NEXT STEPS

79

Intensified awareness creation and capacity building Mainstreaming of SDGs into the third MTP (MTP III), second generation County Integrated Development Plans and public institutions strategic plans; • Review the National Statistical System (NSS) in light of the SDGs. • Enhancing multi- stakeholder participation in the SDGs process • Enhanced Resource mobilization • •

Luxembourg [Originally submitted in French and translated to English by the Secretariat]

1. LUXEMBOURG: A COMMITTED PLAYER IN A MULTILATERAL WORLD Regional, European and international commitments 2. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2.1 An inclusive process 2.1.1 Close coordination within the Government Act of 25 June 2004 on the coordination of national sustainable development policy; legal basis for institutions and instruments dealing with planning and coordination; policy coherence and coordination among interdepartmental committees. 2.1.2 Civil society participation Participation of stakeholders, including via the platform www.mengaktioun.lu. Channels for dialogue and cooperation with Cercle de Coopération, a group of non-governmental organizations working in the development sector. 2.2 Carrying out a thorough review to better guide future efforts Take stock of existing policies and international commitments that incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals, including indicators; identify gaps and draw up recommendations in preparation for the third National Sustainable Development Plan, due in 2018. 2.3 Strengthened governance for policy coherence Through the National Sustainable Development Plan, identify policies likely to have an impact on the three dimensions of sustainable development. Good governance practices among ministries, between the State and municipalities, and between the State and the private sector.

80

3. CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 3.1 Guarantee social inclusion and education for all Tackle social exclusion, which is a political priority, through existing synergies and take action in the fields of social inclusion, integration, education and employment. Ensure that every resident can participate fully in society and engage in gainful employment. 3.2 Diversify the economy Ensure the viability of the economic and social system through constant efforts to achieve economic diversification, focusing on the transition towards an inclusive and carbonneutral economy based on the sustainable use of natural resources. 3.3 Guarantee sustainable mobility Respond to the country’s growing mobility needs, which stem from demographic growth and the number of cross-border commuters in the workforce, coupled with the fact that most individuals choose to travel by car. Ensure sustainable mobility, which would have a positive impact on the quality of life of users, economic competitiveness, social cohesion and the environment, in particular air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. 3.4 Plan and coordinate land use Address demographic growth, which has a significant impact on the sustainability of urban systems, particularly in terms of the need for housing, mobility, basic services and technical infrastructure, but also in terms of the preservation and management of nature and the protection of natural resources and biodiversity, which are threatened by fragmentation, as in many other regions around European capitals. 3.5 Prevent environmental degradation Prevent environmental degradation, which is linked to a number of factors, including the loss and deterioration of natural habitats. This is due to the fragmentation of the countryside, which is a result of the expansion of urban areas and transport networks, changes in agricultural practices, and the drainage and conversion of wetlands and watercourses. 3.6 Protect the climate Uphold national responsibilities under the Paris Agreement by tackling the global challenge of climate change and achieving the national objective of reducing emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. 3.7 Links with the Sustainable Development Goals

81

4. LUXEMBOURG: AN INTERNATIONAL PLAYER IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 4.1 Development cooperation Eradication of poverty in the framework of sustainable development as the basis for development cooperation policy. Provision of official development assistance equivalent to 1 per cent of gross national income since 2009. Sustainable Development Goals 5, 13 and 16 as cross-cutting themes. Official development assistance as a catalyst for generating additional contributions, including from the private sector and domestic resource mobilization in the least developed countries. 4.2 Other types of financing in addition to official development assistance Contribution of 120 million euros for international climate financing for the period 2014-2020. Development of a climate financing strategy by the Government and the financial sector in the framework of the Climate Finance Task Force. Launch of a climate finance platform in collaboration with the European Investment Bank. Planned creation of a sustainable development finance platform for Luxembourg to act as the interface between potential financial contributors (both public and private) and project directors. 5. NEXT STEPS AND CONCLUSIONS

82

Malaysia [Originally submitted in English]

1. Malaysia started its journey on sustainable development since 1970s when the New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced in 1970 to eradicate poverty and restructure societal imbalance. All the subsequent 5-year Malaysia development plans have underscored the elements of sustainable development encompassing sustainable economic growth, growth with equitable distribution to all sections of society, access to basic infrastructure and utilities, access to education and healthcare services and mainstreamed environmental conservation. 2. In 2009, Malaysia formulated the New Economic Model (NEM) which further cemented Malaysia’s commitment to pursue sustainable development based on three pillars, namely high income, inclusivity and sustainability, which mirrors the three elements of the SDG, namely economy, social and environment. The NEM provides the basis for 5-year Malaysia development plan until 2020. The current 5-year Malaysia plan i.e. the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020) is premised on the three pillars of NEM. The theme of 11th Malaysia plan is “Anchoring Growth on People” where people will be the centerpiece of all development efforts and to ensure that no section of society is left behind in participating and benefiting from the nation’s development. 3. Malaysia is, therefore not starting anew on its pathway to sustainable development but it is a process already in motion. Some of the achievements to date are as below: a. SDG 1&2: Absolute poverty reduced from 49.3% (1970) to 0.6% (2014) with no reported cases of hunger; b. SDG 3: Child and maternal mortality rates are almost at the level of developed countries; eradicated endemic small pox and polio and reversed the spread of HIV/AIDS. Drastic reductions in water-borne diseases, deaths from treatable childhood diseases and malaria; c. SDG 4&5: More than 90% enrolment rates for primary and secondary school levels for both boys and girls and 33% for higher education with gender ratio slightly in favour of girls; d. SDG 6: Over 95% coverage for water and sanitation, and electricity supply at national level; e. SDG 7,12 & 16: Laws, regulations, policies and plans in place to better protect and ensure sustainable use of natural assets; f. SDG 8: Full employment since 1992; g. SDG 10: Income inequalities reduced, as indicated by lower Gini Coefficient from 0.513 (1970) to 0.401 (2014); and h. SDG 13, 14, 15, &17: As of 2015, maintained more than 50% forest cover, 10.76% as terrestrial protected areas and 1.06% as marine protected areas. Carbon intensity reduced by 33% since 2009, increasing renewable energy capacity. Malaysia also participates in international trans-boundary conservation efforts like the Coral Triangle and the Heart of Borneo initiatives. 4. The Agenda 2030 increases the resolve to pursue the journey on sustainable development more aggressively. Thus, Malaysia has aligned SDG principles with the 11th 83

Malaysia Plan, which will entrench SDGs in all facets of Malaysia’s development. The Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Abdul Razak made his commitment during UN General Assembly in 2015 that Malaysia will adopt the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and its implementation.

5. To embrace and implement the 17 SDGs in a systematic and measurable manner, Malaysia has taken the following initiatives: a. established a multi-stakeholder, participatory governance structure; b. held two national SDG symposiums to promote participation of stakeholders; c. conducted studies on data readiness and gap analysis; d. undertaken a mapping exercise involving non-government and civil society organisations and the private sector to align SDGs with the 11th Malaysia Plan initiatives; and e. established a National SDG Roadmap to guide implementation of Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. Moving forward 84

6. Next steps to be taken include: • localising SDGs at sub-national levels by replicating the national multi-stakeholder governance structure at state levels; • mobilising resources and funding through partnerships i.e. crowd sourcing, social entrepreneurship, CSR programmes, support and funding from international sources; and • strengthening data readiness and filling data gaps to develop a comprehensive dataset for SDG implementation.

Conclusion 7. Malaysia can and should be ambitious with the goals and targets for the SDGs. We have demonstrated that we can set and achieve “higher targets” through sustained and systematic effort. Malaysia has in place the implementing mechanism for the SDGs with sustainable development initiative aligned with the 11MP, the implementation will be a relatively smooth process. The National SDG Roadmap sets out the priorities and plan of action for implementation.

Maldives [Originally submitted in English]

Introduction The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Maldives will be built upon the successes in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals in the country. In this regard, the thematic focus of the current review will be on the substantive progress the country has made in the areas of health, education, gender, water and sanitation, energy, infrastructure, climate change and marine resources. As a small island developing state, the Maldives faces significant economic, social and environmental challenges. These are exacerbated by the impacts from climate change and vulnerability to both internal and external shocks. In addition to this, the geographic insularity coupled with a dispersed population and high transaction costs results in limited potential for economies of scale. Despite these challenges, the country has made significant progress in areas of eradicating extreme poverty, achieving universal education and health care and protecting terrestrial and marine biodiversity. However, additional efforts have to be made in other area such as empowering women, strengthening mechanisms of governance and justice, minimizing economic disparity and sustainable consumption and production in order to ensure that no one is left behind. This review will attempt to voice out the challenges faced by a Small Island State such as the Maldives, and the efforts made towards overcoming these challenges through innovation, strategic long term policies and collaborative decision-making processes. Innovation and participation of various stakeholders is critical, especially given the ambitious nature of the 2030 Agenda and the need to prioritize our efforts in the implementation process. In this regard, support and assistance from national and international development partners is needed in terms of financing and resource mobilization that is required to achieve the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. Current Focus 85

The Maldives recognises the importance of stakeholder engagement and participation in the substantive realisation of SDGs. To this regard, emphasis has been made to create awareness and engage stakeholders throughout the SDGs process, including implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Focused awareness sessions are planned to be conducted for parliamentarians, local councils, and members of the judiciary, NGOs, students and the general public for the 3rd quarter of 2017. With the completion of stock taking of available data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), initiating the work of identifying national priorities is currently in progress. Identification of national priorities for the SDGs targets will be made through a process of consultations with implementing agencies as well as input from the civil society and the private sector. A Rapid Integrated Assessment (RIA) is scheduled for the third quarter of 2017, which will feed into the process of identifying of the national priorities. Corollary to this, the SDGs Division and NBS, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, is undertaking an exercise to identify data gaps, and mechanisms to address these. Development of a Monitoring Framework is planned for the 4th quarter of 2017. The framework will be developed to monitor and report the achievements of the SDGs targets in the implementation process. The development of this Framework will, however, require technical assistance and financial support. Main Challenges Long term strategic direction and focused policies will be fundamental to eliminate the duplication of work and in this manner, determine the success of budgeting and execution of sectoral programs towards the implementation of the SDGs. The lack of technical expertise, particularly in terms of data collection and management, remains a major hurdle in the implementation of SDGs in the country. This is compounded by the lack of trained staff and necessary equipment for data collection and management. Furthermore, enhanced collaboration across government agencies is required in order to effectively track and monitor progress on SDGs. In this regard, the integration of data systems and the institutionalisation of a coherent and holistic mechanism for periodic and regular data collection will be critical. In addition to this, there is a need to strengthen the administrative data that is already available at different sectors since these can be used for evidence based decision-making and avoid duplication of work and resources. One of the main challenges in this regard is attainment of funds that is required for the data collection process. Means of Implementation The National Ministerial Coordination Committee, constituted of cabinet ministers, provides the overall policy guidance and political support towards the implementation of SDGs in the country. The Ministerial Committee is supported by a Technical Committee on SDGs, which brings together representatives from various government institutions and civil society. Together, the National Ministerial Coordination Committee and the Technical Committee ensures country ownership and broad based participation that will be critical for the successful implementation of SDGs. The SDGs Division at the Ministry of Environment and Energy functions as the nodal agency in coordinating work related to the implementation of SDGs and is tasked with the overall responsibility for monitoring and reporting on the implementation process. The Sustainable Development Goals will be implemented in the Maldives by the agencies, civil society and independent institutions whose mandate aligns with the targets of the SDGs. The role of the monitoring and reporting body, then, will be to ensure that proper consultation has been carried out with all relevant stakeholders in the implementation process, given the integrated nature of the SDGs. It is also the role of the monitoring body to promote the mainstreaming of the SDGs into sectoral policies, plans and strategies and 86

develop a review and follow-up mechanism to provide coherence between line agencies and ensure the integration of economic, social and environmental dimensions of the 2030 Agenda in the implementation process. Unlike the Millennium Development Goals, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals requires strong coordination and cross sectoral collaboration between the government agencies, development partners, local governments, commitment by the private sector as well as the civil society. The implementation of the Agenda 2030 also requires continued political support and commitment as well as broad based participation, as these will be critical to drive the national sustainable development agenda forward.

Monaco [Originally submitted in French and translated to English by the Secretariat]

The Principality of Monaco is a State with many unique features. These include its size, just 2 km2; its long history, spanning more than seven centuries; its political system, whose stability is epitomized by its princes; its population, within which its own nationals are a minority; and its geographic location, perched on the Mediterranean coast. This unique situation has long made Monaco a special player in the world, able to engage in the promotion of worthy causes, stimulate dialogue and take action beyond merely pursuing its national interest. More than 100 years ago, Prince Albert I was one of the great minds of his time. A renowned oceanographer, fearless humanist and defender of the seas, he founded the Institut international de la paix, a precursor of the United Nations. Since his accession to the throne in 2005, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II has continued this tradition, dedicating himself and rallying the support of his people, guiding his Government and administration, and uniting non-governmental organizations and economic institutions in support of sustainable development, which is essential in order to reconcile the requirements of human advancement with the needs of the natural world. Sustainable development is an overriding priority in a world torn apart by numerous crises that are inextricably linked. Climate change is the result of a short-term economic model based on plundering natural resources. It directly contributes to the destabilization of the most vulnerable communities by destroying their way of life, harming their health and heightening tensions over natural resources. The same is true for the major ills faced by our planet, which are all the result of a form of development that hurts the weakest and that will eventually endanger the whole of humankind. In order to resolve these contradictions, we need to muster the support of all individuals. Accordingly, the Principality of Monaco has decided to commit itself at all levels. First of all, Monaco has made commitments at the local level, with the implementation of policies aimed at promoting energy transition and soft mobility, 87

introducing an effective social model and protecting the environment, in particular the marine environment, of the Principality. It has also made international commitments, providing aid for the least developed countries aimed at addressing key issues such as health, education, empowerment and gender parity under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At present, the Principality provides the equivalent of 500 euros per capita in official development assistance. The Principality is also committed to diplomatic engagement in multilateral bodies. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, who embodies this engagement, has attended every meeting on climate change since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. He participated actively in the twenty-first and twentysecond sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, contributing in particular to the organization of meetings on the oceans. At the United Nations, he was involved in drawing up Sustainable Development Goal 14 and in the negotiations on high-seas biodiversity. Lastly, together with his foundation, the Prince was behind the draft report on oceans and the cryosphere of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was launched in Monaco in 2016. The Principality of Monaco is well aware, because of its size and its openness, that States cannot achieve everything alone. They need their actions to be leveraged by civil society. That is why, following in the footsteps of Prince Albert I, founder of the Oceanographic Institute in Paris and the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II established a foundation in his own name. Since its establishment 11 years ago, the foundation has carried out close to 400 projects around the world relating to climate change, biodiversity and water. The foundation, which is partly funded from public resources, contributes directly to the Principality’s efforts to promote sustainable development. The commitment of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, like that of his great-greatgrandfather, is based on a partnership with the scientific community, which sees Monaco as a welcoming and supportive partner. The Principality of Monaco is wholly committed to sustainable development, as evidenced by the range of flexible and inclusive measures taken and its mobilization efforts, which have become an intrinsic part of its identity.

Nepal [Originally submitted in English]

1. Introduction Nepal's social and political progress has been highly progressive. Economic growth remained sluggish but picking up now. Nepal's natural vulnerabilities, from earthquakes to climate change, lie unmitigated. Building on the gains so far, the challenge for Nepal is to swiftly complete the unfinished agenda of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and embrace a much more ambitious aspiration of fulfilling the SDGs. Furthermore, Nepal expects

88

to become a vibrant middle income country by 2030. However, the country is resource constrained, and it needs to forge a diverse alliance for SDGs. 2. Policy and Institutional Context The goal of leaving no one behind fits well with the inclusive political order that Nepal has been building. The new Constitution (2015) aspires to create a prosperous, egalitarian and pluralistic society, and serves as the overarching guide to all development policies, plans and programs. The current (14th) periodic plan (2016/17-2018/19), and other sectoral plans, policies and their targets are being aligned with SDGs. specific SDGs codes are assigned for all national programs in the national budget. Three high-level committees have been formed to help implement SDGs. A steering committee is chaired by the Prime Minister; a coordination committee is chaired by the Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) and nine thematic committees are headed by NPC Members. The membership of the coordination and working committees is broadly representative of the public and private sectors, as well as civil society and development partners. 3.

National Targets and Progress of Selected SDGs

Nepal was probably one of the first countries to produce a SDG baseline study in 2015, before the formal adoption of the SDGs. Nepal has halved extreme poverty (SDG 1) in the past 15 years, and is on track to bring it d0wn to less than 5 percent by 2030. SDG 2 targets include the reduction in the prevalence of undernourishment to 3 percent and prevalence of underweight children under five years of age to 5 percent by 2030. Similarly, SDG 3 targets include reducing the maternal mortality rate to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Other targets include the virtual elimination of the prevalence of HIV, TB, Malaria, other tropical diseases, and water borne diseases. In Nepal today, there is gender parity at all levels of education. The targets for SDG 5 includes the elimination of wage discrimination, physical/sexual violence, and all harmful social practices, such as child marriages. Nepal expects women to fill 40 percent of all elected seats in local governments, and at least onethird of the seats in the national parliament. In the civil service, women in public decisionmaking positions will have increased four-fold of total employees by 2030. The targets for SDG 9 are to increase road density to 1.5 km per square km and paved road density to 0.25 km per square km, and to connect all districts, municipalities and village councils to the national road network. In industries, the target by 2030 is to increase the share of employment to 25 percent; within the subset of manufacturing, employment is to reach 13 percent. SDG 17, on the means of implementation, expects adherence by all stakeholders, from resource mobilization and capacity development to shared responsibility and accountability. Nepal’s progress in revenue mobilization is impressive, but also vulnerable to likely swings in the large volumes of inward remittances which bolster import-based taxation. The aim is to increase the share of revenue from about 22 percent today to 30 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030. Domestic expenditures financed by revenue is estimated to reach 80 percent. For meeting the private sector investment financing gap, foreign direct investment (inward stock) is expected to increase to 20 percent of GDP in 2030 from less than 3 percent in 2015. 4.

Challenges in SDGs Implementation

SDGs are interlinked, indivisible, and ambitious posing major implementation challenges in a low-income country like Nepal, which has limited resources. As the country embarks on implementing a new federal structure of governance, a prominent challenge will be to quickly mainstream SDGs into the provincial and local level planning and budgeting systems. Weak database and lack of availability of disaggregated data by sex, age, social groups, disability status, geography, income and sub-national level will hinder monitoring of progress. In addition to the realignment of policies, financing challenges will loom large, 89

particularly to trigger and sustain job-creating economic growth, enhance the quality of social service provisioning and to invest adequately to reduce risks from disasters. 5.

Way Forward

Positive lessons learned from the MDGs era will need to be scaled up. For example, in health, education, water and sanitation, the Sector-wide Approach yielded better results because of coordinated resource mobilization. Similarly, the triangular partnership between the government, private sector and development partners proved quite effective in some areas, but will need to be augmented significantly especially to spur reforms that attract substantial private capital and entrepreneurship. Nepal will need to constantly update its targets and indicators contained in sectoral master plans, medium term plans and strategies. Many SDG goals and indicators do not yet have a quantitative baseline. This needs an urgent redress, and the data that do exist need further disaggregation, particularly based on new political jurisdictions. Monitoring SDGs progress within the existing institutional framework of data generation and management needs an overhaul. Above all, SDGs are interconnected and the achievement of one goal has a synergetic effect on others. These integrated challenge needs a matching response in terms of fiscal, managerial and institutional capacities.

Netherlands [Originally submitted in English]

INTRODUCTION TO THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS The four countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands and St Maarten) report jointly to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. While each autonomous country within the Kingdom has its own political reality and is in a different phase of SDG implementation, all of them are committed to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Kingdom’s Voluntary National Review includes the views and positions of all four countries, providing detail on progress made and lessons learned by each autonomous country as well as by the Kingdom as a whole. Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten are all located in the Caribbean, while ‘Dutch’ and ‘the Netherlands’ refer to the Netherlands as a territory in Europe and the islands of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius in the Caribbean. Partnerships are the key… ‘The Netherlands is fully committed to making the next leap forward,’ Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015. The four countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands agree that the key to success in attaining the SDGs is our willingness and resolve to form partnerships at national and international level. In his speech, Prime Minister Rutte gave several examples of Dutch multi-stakeholder partnerships, especially those involving Dutch companies. He affirmed the Netherlands’ intention to make the SDGs its leading policy framework for the next 15 years. Working together across sectors and national boundaries is part of our DNA. We have a solid track record of resolving domestic issues by forging partnerships, for example by involving people from all walks of society in efforts to tackle water-related challenges. This approach is the key to the prominent role we play on development cooperation, combining aid, trade and investment.

90

Across the Kingdom, partnerships remain vital, both domestically and internationally. For the Netherlands, the European Union is a major partnership. Many current Dutch efforts to enhance sustainability reflect common European policies. In the development of Curaçao, Aruba and St Maarten as Small Island Developing States, partnerships, as highlighted in the SAMOA Pathway, are imperative. For example, Curaçao considers forging partnerships within the region as crucial, whether through the EU’s Overseas Countries and Territories Association or bilaterally with other countries in the region. Stepping up South-South cooperation will remain essential to SDG implementation. …to accelerating progress on sustainability… Across the Kingdom, governments (both national and local), the private sector (including the financial sector), civil society, knowledge institutions and youth organisations have hailed the SDGs as a unique opportunity to accelerate the achievement of their own sustainable development ambitions. Over the past year and a half, Dutch organisations have made considerable progress in building their knowledge of the SDGs and have formed coalitions to achieve them. The SDGs are developing into the guiding framework for these organisations’ activities. This Voluntary National Review, too, is the result of joint efforts by governments, the private sector, civil society, knowledge institutions and youth representatives. For Curaçao, the SDGs serve as a fresh opportunity to align ministries and stakeholders behind overarching goals for sustainable development. Curaçao is currently in a new phase of the process of adopting its budget and masterplan, and aims to use the SDGs as key objectives as it transforms ways of looking at sustainable development and long-term planning, adopting an inclusive and participative approach. …while leaving no one behind. As we make a leap forward, we have to ensure that no one is left behind. This challenge is relevant to both richer countries like the Netherlands and to developing countries, where the challenge is even greater. Specific interventions are needed to reach the poorest and most marginalised people. Inequalities, such as gender-based income gaps or men and women’s unequal access to financial services, must be reduced. The Dutch agenda for aid, trade and investment contributes to attaining this objective, focusing on four priority themes: water, food security, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and security and the rule of law. Moreover, by paying extra attention to private sector development, gender equality and climate change, we help promote sustainable economic growth that benefits everyone. The Netherlands’ Official Development Assistance (ODA) has yielded many encouraging results. For example, Dutch aid has helped 25 million people in developing countries gain access to clean drinking water, and provided 19 million people with access to clean energy. Thanks to Dutch investments, every year approximately 10-20 million people receive improved nutrition, 15 million women and girls obtain access to contraception, and 9 million people gain access to basic infrastructure (roads and public amenities). An ambitious approach to SDG implementation… The point of the SDGs is producing tangible results that improve people’s lives. The Netherlands has chosen an ambitious approach to implementing the SDGs, based pragmatically on existing policies and institutions. Tasks are assigned to all the ministries concerned and coordinated by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. An SDG working group with representatives from each ministry has been established and meets regularly. It is chaired by a specially appointed high-level coordinator for national SDG implementation, assisted by a small secretariat. …involves consultation with partners in society… The Dutch government believes that the SDGs should be the subject of a lively, transparent, political debate in order to ensure and safeguard broad support for the goals. In our view, the SDGs require support at the highest level, and implementation has to involve all 91

relevant actors to be successful. A collective process is needed, in which a wide variety of actors contribute on the basis of their respective strengths and interests. The Dutch government will produce a national SDG report periodically between now and 2030 on the progress made towards the goals. This report will be sent to Parliament on national Accountability Day (the third Wednesday in May). The first national SDG report was issued this year. It describes the activities of all stakeholders (national and local government, private companies including the financial sector, CSOs, knowledge institutions and youth organisations), illustrating the collective nature of SDG implementation in the Netherlands. …integration into existing policy cycles… All parts of the Kingdom are currently integrating the SDGs into their development plans, to ensure continued action to achieve them. Aruba and St Maarten are working closely together, using the UN’s Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support (MAPS) approach to ensure full engagement with the 2030 Agenda. In Curaçao, a vision of combining economic growth, environmental protection and the reduction of inequalities has been embraced by all sectors, from government to the private sector and young people. Long-term political commitment and awareness-raising beyond government will remain important for further implementation. Building active support is essential to ensure a coherent and coordinated SDG implementation strategy. …and striving for coherence. The Netherlands is committed to formulating policies that defend the interests of the poorest and most vulnerable groups, and urges other countries to do the same. The SDGs fit well into the ongoing discussion on the importance of policy coherence for sustainable development, which has been central to Dutch development discourse. For example, the Ready for Change initiative united over forty organisations in calling for a greater effort to promote policy coherence on the SDGs. The Netherlands’ action plan on policy coherence for development makes us an international frontrunner in the field. The plan’s eight themes are trade agreements, investment protection, tax evasion, remittance costs, sustainable value chains, access to medicines, climate change and food security. By committing ourselves to goals aligned with the SDGs, taking practical action, and conducting annual monitoring and reporting, we ensure that real progress will be achieved. For example, companies, CSOs, trade unions and the Dutch government are concluding sectoral agreements on responsible business conduct, working together to minimise risks such as precarious work, underpayment and environmental degradation throughout global value chains. Such agreements have already been adopted in the textile industry and the international financial sector. The Netherlands believes this is crucial to achieve the SDGs in developing countries. The initial results show… The Netherlands was one of the first countries to survey the starting points of national efforts to achieve the SDGs. The report ‘Measuring the SDGs: An Initial Picture for the Netherlands’, compiled by Statistics Netherlands, was published in November 2016. Data are currently available in the Netherlands for about one-third of the SDG indicators. Efforts are underway by Statistics Netherlands and other bodies to make more data available to measure progress on the other indicators (where relevant to the Netherlands). …that while more data is needed… The other countries in the Kingdom are also on track to have their statistical bureaus draw up a zero-base measurement of their SDG status. Like many small island developing states, Curaçao faces challenges in gathering usable, up-to-date data to track SDG implementation. Data collection priorities have therefore been set in its National Development Plan. Setting up a socioeconomic database will be the first step in making development data more readily available. In gathering data for this socioeconomic database, the initial focus will be on indicators related to SDGs 4, 7, 8, and 14. …that the Netherlands is doing well…

92

Based on the available data, it is clear that the Netherlands is doing well on many SDG targets and indicators: •

The Netherlands scores high on economic indicators, including GDP per capita (SDG

8). • The Dutch have confidence in their institutions. A majority of the population feels safe in their own neighbourhood, the number of reported crimes is decreasing, and corruption levels are low (SDG 16). • Healthy life expectancy has risen in the past period. Feelings of wellbeing are high, and the Dutch are relatively satisfied with their lives (SDG 3). • Participation in lifelong learning is high in the Netherlands, and there are proportionately many highly educated people. The Dutch also score well on skills learned through education (SDG 4). The Netherlands attaches importance to the contribution that education, science and culture in conjunction can make to achieving the goals. • Over the past several years, Dutch ODA has remained close to or above the international 0.7% GNI target (SDG 17).

…but there is still work to be done. There are also areas where the Netherlands scores less well: • Social inclusion: in 2015, more Dutch people were living below the national poverty line than in 2006 (SDG 1). Although the Netherlands ranks high (4th) on the EU Gender Equality Index, it still faces persistent high levels of gender inequality in various domains (SDG 5). Moreover, several groups in the Netherlands experience perceived discrimination (SDG 10). • Environmental pressure: The Netherlands consumes large quantities of fossil fuels and emits high amounts of greenhouse gases per capita (SDG 13). The share of renewable energy in the total energy supply is low compared to other European countries (SDG 7). • Biodiversity and ecosystems: The Netherlands places high environmental pressure on low- and middle-income countries. The Dutch food production system is not sustainable enough (SDG 12). Water quality and fresh water extraction, coastal waters and sustainable fishery are major concerns (SDG 14). Moreover, natural habitats and biodiversity in the Netherlands are under considerable pressure (SDG 15).

And where will we be in 2030 if we continue existing policies? All the countries in the Kingdom can build on a wide range of existing policies in implementing the SDGs. As a first step, the Dutch government has published the first national SDG report to provide an overview of existing policies that contribute to achieving the goals. Following the 2030 Agenda, the government will decide on ways of incorporating the goals into national planning processes, policies and strategies. In some cases it will be sufficient to extend current end dates towards the SDG finish line in 2030. In other cases, new policies will have to be adopted. As the Dutch government reported to Parliament, this gives the Netherlands the opportunity to gradually speed up its transition towards a more sustainable future: from fossil-based to renewable, from linear to circular, and from segmented to inclusive. St Maarten is building on its experience with the Millennium Development Goals and constructing a database and user portal for policy development initiatives. It can draw on its experience of organising democratic dialogues with different stakeholder groups, and is currently working to engage these stakeholders in SDG implementation. Curaçao is endeavouring to strike a balance between maintaining its existing multi-sector economy, based on shipping and logistics, sustainable tourism, international financial services and oil refining, and adding sustainable solutions to the energy mix. Having installed new windmills in 2017, Curaçao already obtains more than 25% of its energy from renewable sources. Aruba

93

has been very ambitious in planning a transition that will enable it to get 100% of its energy from renewables by 2020. Partnerships for SDG implementation build on a strong tradition… As early as 2014, over a year before the SDGs were adopted, more than 70 parties joined forces to support the SDGs both in the Kingdom and elsewhere by signing an SDG Charter in the Netherlands. The Charter now has 110 signatories, and is encouraging organisations to form cross-sectoral partnerships to help achieve the SDGs. There are also several new initiatives, including Community Life Centres in Africa to improve basic healthcare for people at the base of the pyramid (SDG 3), the Human Cities Coalition to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11), and the financial sector initiative SDG Investing to boost investments in sustainable development. The Charter powers a website where all individuals and organisations in the Netherlands can present their activities: gateway.sdgcharter.nl. Another bottom-up initiative in support of the SDGs is Gemeenten4GlobalGoals, launched by the Association of Netherlands Municipalities to showcase local governments’ contributions to SDGs such as reducing inequality and improving waste management. Many partnerships promote sustainable development – in the Netherlands or in the global South – without referring to the SDG process. Examples include: • The Energy Agreement for Sustainable Growth, which commits over forty organisations (private power companies, environmental organisations, knowledge institutions and government authorities) to reduce their energy use and promote a transition towards sustainable energy. • Green Deals, which are cross-sector partnerships on themes like energy, mobility, biodiversity, water, resources, climate, food and construction. They foster economic growth while promoting energy conservation, sustainable fuel use and a clean environment. To date more than 200 Green Deals have been concluded, involving over 1,500 companies and CSOs. The EU Innovation Deals are inspired by this Dutch initiative.

In Curaçao, a long history of sectoral partnerships has paved the way for SDG implementation. In Curaçao’s National Dialogue, government, businesses and trade unions discuss policy paths towards a better future for the country. This National Dialogue played a key role in launching the National Development Plan process. Building on this tradition, the government of Curaçao established a National Youth Council in 2017, which will promote youth development by giving young people a structured way to participate in policymaking and in shaping their future. With regard to implementation, Curaçao’s size demands a multistakeholder approach: precisely the approach being taken in implementing its National Development Plan. …and will help us meet the challenges on the road to 2030. Broad and inclusive partnerships, both national and international, are the key to success. In the coming period the Netherlands, Curaçao, Aruba and St Maarten will build on existing partnerships, at country, Kingdom and international levels. In the Netherlands, the process of jointly drafting the first SDG report encouraged stakeholders to identify the SDGs they are contributing to. It also highlighted some gaps, for example on renewable energy, gender equality and freshwater withdrawal. Companies are increasingly aware of their responsibility to integrate sustainability in all its facets into their business models. Many actors emphasise the need for sufficient financial and other resources, and the importance of legislation and enforcement in addressing these issues. In addition, many stakeholders feel that the SDG process needs to devote more attention to the impact of current national policies on future generations and on communities in other parts of the world. Awareness of the SDGs is growing across the Kingdom. The SDGs address complex issues, requiring the involvement of all actors. Ensuring broad involvement and collaboration between different sectors is an ongoing challenge for all the countries of the Kingdom, and 94

SDG implementation must be further aligned with each country’s existing policies. One and a half years after the UN Sustainable Development Summit, however, the first step has clearly been taken in the leap forward that Prime Minister Rutte called for. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is on the right track to meet the challenges in achieving the SDGs. In the race towards sustainable development, the SDGs have taught us to keep in step and advance together towards the same finish line. This is excellent news.

Nigeria [Originally submitted in English]

1. Introduction This report provides information on progress and status of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)in Nigeria. It highlights key policy, institutional and regulatory measures put in place to create necessary enabling environment for mainstreaming of SDGs in national policies, plans and programmes, and its coherent coordination. The report is the outcome of wide and in-depth consultations organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs) with a wide array of stakeholders drawn from line ministries, civil society organizations, organized private sector, academia, development partners, youth groups, women organizations, persons with disability and media organizations. 2. Key Successes to Celebrate i. Establishment of multi.layer and multi-cluster institutional frameworks for enhanced coordination and SDGs mainstreaming process a. The President has appointed a Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on SDGs whose office is responsible for ensuring horizontal and vertical coherence between development policies, plans and strategies. Similarly, an Inter-Ministerial Committee on the SDGs has been established and operational guidelines for the same developed to guide the coordinated engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Similar structures being established at the sub-national (State) level. b. To fully harness the resources and ideas of, and effectively engage other stakeholders, a Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) and a Donors' Forum on the SDGs have recently been inaugurated. The CSOs Group on SDGs are already working towards some SDGs targets, with giant stride on inclusive education, in collaboration with the Joint Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) and Women 2030 in Nigeria. c. To enhance the legislative and oversight roles of Parliamentarians on SDGs implementation process, two select committees on SDGs have been established in the Senate and House of Representatives. d. As part of the national SDGs advocacy and campaign programme, the OSSAP-SDGs has entered into partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train graduating youths to become SDGs champions in their local communities and areas of national service they are deployed upon graduation. ii. Existence of good policy and planning framework: The recently-launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), on which the current medium- and short- terms budgeting 95

frameworks are based is, to a large extent, aligned to the SDGs. Similarly, many of the current State Development Plans (SDPs), including the Benue, Taraba, Yobe, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Kano, Jigawa, Anambra, Delta, to mention but a few, are aligned to the SDGs. The alignment aid planning, monitoring and evaluation of SDG implementation, an SDGs data mapping exercise has been concluded and a data supply responsibility framework agreed upon. iii. Upscaling the Conditional Grants Scheme (CGS): The CGS, a counterpart contributory mechanism which incentivizes subnational governments to mobilize resources to accelerate progress in SDGs core areas and is acclaimed as a best practice in implementing the global development agenda is currently being up scaled. iv. Identifying and targeting the poor and vulnerable people: This has been achieved through establishment of a "National Social Register" for poor and vulnerable households. There is a monthly conditional cash transfer of five thousand naira (N5,000) to such households as part of a national social safety net programme. 3. Key Lessons Learnt i. Technology-based, open and transparent progress tracking and reporting systems for nationally agreed targets against set benchmarks is critical for the success of the SDGs implementation. ii. It is necessary to devise innovative and adaptive practices and programme delivery mechanisms to overcome bureaucratic bottlenecks often associated with the implementation of national policies and programmes. iii. Without necessarily downplaying the role of official development assistance and debt financing through debt relief gains, domestic resource mobilization and new sources of financing, are critical to successful resourcing of SDGs implementation in the country. Effective global and national partnerships are therefore, vital for the SDGs implementation process. 4. Main Challenges i. Reliance on oil and gas sector; dwindling agricultural production and productivity; and limited value addition in the agricultural sector to grow the economy, create jobs, address poverty and ensure food security remain critical challenges. Dwindling in agricultural productivity is mainly due to climate change; desertification; natural and manmade disasters; unresponsive land tenure and a general low utilization of mechanized farming. ii. Infrastructural deficit and technological gaps: A major challenge to SDGs attainment is infrastructural deficit and technology gaps, which hinder service provision and application of science, technology and innovation in many spheres of life. iii. The economic recession and humanitarian crises: Economic recession in the country due to fluctuating oil price in the international market and the humanitarian crisis in the North East of the country present unique challenges to achieving the SDGs. 5. Major Areas the Country Needs Support i. Given the current economic recession, the country will need support in mobilizing adequate financial and other resources, including from domestic sources, and through traditional (North - South, South - South and triangular cooperation) partnerships. However, the country has advanced on curbing illicit financial flow and asset recovery which will enhance effort on resource mobilization for implementation of the SDGs. ii. Technology transfer and capacity building on inter alia, data, information and performance management will be needed to support SDGs implementation. 96

Panama [Originally submitted in Spanish and translated to English by the Secretariat]

Key plans and strategies for the achievement of the SDGs Panama 2030 In 2016, the country’s political and social stakeholders came together, in the National Consultations for Development, to establish and adopt a forward-looking State strategy called “Panamá 2030”, seeking to map out the way to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in Panama. The successful establishment of Panamá 2030 was the product of the joint efforts of industry, workers, non-governmental organizations, churches, academic institutions, indigenous peoples, political parties and Government institutions, all representing their sectors’ interests to the National Consultations for Development Plan Panama: A Country for All — Zero Poverty This Plan sees poverty as a phenomenon with a variety of manifestations and causes, and seeks to reduce poverty in general and eliminate extreme poverty through interconnected, cross-cutting social policies and programmes targeting the most disadvantaged, promoting their access to basic services, social welfare and family support, fostering the growth of human capital and the reduction and gradual narrowing of social divisions. Priority Sustainable Development Goals Priority goals Panama 2030 establishes as priority Goals: (a)

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages (Goal 3);

(b)

Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning (Goal

4); (c) Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all (Goal 8); (d)

Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies (Goal 16).

Priority unifying themes The unifying themes of public policy action for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the main priorities for the path to human development are equal opportunities, a cross-cultural approach, sustainability and decentralization. Main challenges and areas of progress Inter-institutional coordination Through the multisectoral commission, the Social Affairs Office is promoting the alignment of public policy with the themes of the 2030 Agenda, with the aim of securing progress in line with the country’s development priorities. The process of alignment is guided by the Social Agenda for 2015-2019. The relevant action includes providing context for the 97

targets and indicators associated with the Goals; mechanisms to monitor and follow up the Goals, and a communication, dissemination and information programme for the Goals. Benchmarks The multidimensional poverty index was established as a principal instrument for shaping public policy. To that end, dimensions and indicators were selected, the disadvantages and gaps characterizing poverty were defined, deprivation was quantified and poverty was defined in multidimensional terms Stakeholder participation and consultation Participation and interaction Through the Social Affairs Office, the Government held three consultations with public institutions, the National Assembly, women’s groups, indigenous peoples, people of African descent, young people, academics, entrepreneurs and aid agencies, in order to conduct an interactive strategy dialogue on what steps to take at national level to promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The consultation began a convergence of the assistance agendas of the bodies of the United Nations system, the Social Affairs Office and Government and non-governmental counterparts. Resources for implementation Mechanism for interaction and consensus Panama adopted the Sustainable Development Goals through Executive Decree No. 393, which established a mechanism for coordination between the Social Affairs Office, the National Consultations for Development and the Office of the Secretary for Presidential Goals. Follow-up tools Panama put in place a management system for governance, a technological tool which seeks to provide optimum traceability of State projects and programmes, and to increase efficiency. The system facilitates monitoring and management of priority goals, providing realtime information on the degree of alignment between plans and strategies and the Sustainable Development Goals and their targets.

Peru [Originally submitted in Spanish and translated to English by the Secretariat]

Updating of sectoral policies and direction of subnational policies Since September 2016, the Peruvian State has focused its efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on an initial updating of national-level sectoral policies, incorporating the aims of the Agenda into its methods for establishing policies and plans. In that connection, an initial exercise to align sectoral policies with the Goals and targets by 2021, with an eye to the 2030 deadline, was undertaken in October 2016. Similarly, the multi-level Government coordination bodies have been strengthened to promote the refocusing of subnational policies within a national context.

98

Vision for the future in the run-up to 2030 The above notwithstanding, a new round of updates to policies and plans is needed to pursue sustainable development. This will require an agreed vision for the country in the runup to 2030, leading to a review of State policy as a foundation for the updating of the Strategic Plan for National Development, the document which provides guidance for harmonious, sustainable, lasting and decentralized development. Building this vision of the future demands an in-depth knowledge of the reality of the country, and this entails knowing the day-to-day local circumstances of the population (ecosystems, catchment areas, direction of development), and being aware of characteristics, needs and gaps in infrastructure and access to public services across the country. Also required is an understanding of the actual opportunity for access to services in every population centre. Consultation process It is important to emphasize that the process of consultation on a vision for the country’s future did not begin with the 2030 Agenda commitments. It dates back to 2001, with the establishment of forums for interaction between society and the State, such as the Roundtables for Poverty Reduction and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the building of a National Agreement to establish a shared vision of “the country we want”, with the aim of uniting society and making possible the development of State policies and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Proposed outline for the future Although the consultation process is continuing, the Peruvian State already has an outline for the future of the country in the run-up to 2030, based on an initial analysis of the outlook for that period. The outline provides a basis for dialogue on the agreed vision for the future of the country, with the aim of guiding policies and plans even while facing emergencies and natural disasters. In connection with the with the 2030 Agenda, the proposed outline makes explicit reference to peace, prosperity and the building of links with people and the planet, along with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The proposed outline addresses the main aspects of sustainable development and contains input and preliminary thoughts on the future of the country, with a focus on people and a desire to pursue full development that leaves no one behind, retaining a balance between economic development and environmental protection that tackles climate change. Challenges The voluntary national report describes the progress that Peru has made in implementing the 2030 Agenda and building its vision of the future. Achieving the desired results requires the Peruvian State to meet the multiple challenges involved in translating the proposed outline for the future into action in the national context. That includes the process of ensuring that individuals and institutions in the country genuinely understand the need to guarantee full enjoyment of fundamental rights, the need to the achieve national sustainable development targets, and the way in which those targets are connected with the Sustainable Development Goals. 99

Portugal [Originally submitted in English]

The new United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an action plan focused on people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership (5Ps). Its ultimate goal is poverty eradication and sustainable development. All States and other interested stakeholders assume their responsibilities in relation to its achievement. It should be underlined that no one should be left behind. A transformative Agenda for sustainable development The Summit of Heads of State and Government on the Post-2015 Development Agenda culminated in the adoption, by the United Nations General Assembly of the Resolution A/RES/70/1 entitled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, on September 25th 2015. As a universal agenda, based on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets to be implemented by all countries, the 2030 Agenda calls for the integration of the SDGs into the policies, procedures and actions developed at the national, regional and global levels. According to former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, “the 17 SDGs are our shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world’s leaders and the people”. António Guterres, in turn, has identified the support to sustainable development, along with working for peace and internally reforming the Organization, as one of 3 priorities for his mandate as the current United Nations Secretary-General. In fact, it should be noted that this is an Agenda with a universal dimension, to be implemented by all Parties, and not just the developing countries, in contrast with the 20002015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have therefore changed the way we approach development by: i) integrating the 3 dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental); ii) being based on universal goals and targets to be implemented by all countries (and not only by developing countries); iii) having a greater potential for tackling inequality and promoting human rights as a cross-cutting concern across all SDGs; and iv) involving new dynamic concerted efforts from a wide range of actors, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private corporate sector, academia, social partners and other members of civil society, including the co-operation between parliament, government, regional and local authorities. This is a challenge which concerns us all.

Portugal’s negotiating position in the process of adopting the 2030 Agenda Portugal played an active role in drafting the document adopted at the Summit, including in the establishment of the common position to be taken by the European Union (EU), particularly in: i) recognizing the need to give more attention to issues pertaining to peace, security and good governance, with an emphasis on the situation of fragile States; ii) promoting and advocating the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, an issue of critical importance to Portugal; and iii) integrating a strong human rights dimension that tackles inequalities, while paying particular attention to the gender equality issues.

100

Portugal also argues that this Agenda needs to be based on genuine shared responsibilities between public and private actors, as well as between developed and developing countries, in addition to the traditional North-South approach. Concerning the debate on the adaptation of the United Nations system to the challenges of the 2030 Agenda, Portugal has been arguing for an adjustment that would enable it to follow up on the degree of political commitment made, while highlighting the need to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of a United Nations system based on structured co-operation and complementarity between the different actors at the global, regional and national levels, that exploits synergies and interdependencies between their competences and strategies, avoids duplication and seeks to maximize capabilities and impact.

Implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the global level Turning this vision into reality is primarily the responsibility of national governments, but the challenges also require new partnerships and a greater expression of international solidarity. All have a role to play so that no one is left behind. Each country, including governments, civil society, companies and representatives of different stakeholders, will have to regularly assess the progress made. A set of about 230 global indicators will be used. Its results are set to be compiled in a comprehensive annual report, “The Sustainable Development Goals Report”. The report highlights where the world stands regarding the implementation of these global goals, using statistical data and underlining the main gaps and the most pressing challenges facing our world. The first report, published last year, shows that about 1 in every 8 persons in the world still lives in extreme poverty, some 800 million people are suffering from hunger, the birth of nearly one in four children under the age of 5 years is still unregistered, women spend about 2.4 times more hours per day on caregiving and household tasks than men, 1.1 billion people live without electricity, and water scarcity now affects more than 2 billion people in the world. These statistical data highlight the importance of a global coordination of the international cooperation efforts, but the goals, in fact, apply to all societies. As the former United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, said, “developed societies still need to promote gender equality and eliminate all forms of discrimination”.

The approach at the EU level At our regional level, the European Union seeks to set out a new approach to ensure growth and sustainability in its three dimensions (economic, social and environmental) beyond 2020. This process, which is associated to the review of the Europe 2020 strategy for the future, must reflect the internal and external achievement of the two major international milestones of 2015 in Sustainable Development: the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In this respect it should be noted that sustainability in Europe extends far beyond its internal dimension. Multiple global challenges such as extreme poverty and inequality, conflicts, migration, terrorism, climate change, pandemics have, in the end, a direct impact on Europe, which is why sustainability in the region cannot be examined separately from its external dimension. 101

The commitment to sustainable development across borders shall be matched with efforts to ensure the internal sustainability of the European Union. It is therefore crucial that the different actors incorporate and align their strategies, programmes and initiatives to the SDGs. In that sense, the European Commission has published, on November 22nd 2016, a Communication on the “Next steps for a sustainable European future” that sets out how the 2030 Agenda is to be implemented within the EU. That document confirms that sustainable development has for long been at the heart of the European project. The EU Treaties recognize the economic, social and environmental dimensions, which should be addressed together, reflecting a commitment to development that answers to today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. The EU response to the internal implementation of the 2030 Agenda includes two work streams: • The first one, presented in the referred Communication, is to fully integrate the SDGs in the European policy framework and the Juncker Commission's ten priorities for its current term, identifying the most relevant sustainability concerns, but also assessing European policies and the efforts to achieve the 17 Goals; • A second one will launch reflection work on further developing a long-term European vision and focus on sector-based policies after 2020 which enable the long-term implementation of the SDGs. The new Multiannual Financial Framework beyond 2020 shall also reorient the EU budget's contributions towards that same end. In addition, several EU financing instruments complement European policies and initiatives and contribute horizontally to the SDGs. Particular emphasis is to be given to the cohesion policy – through the European Structural and Investment Funds – as it is the main investment policy of the EU, with a view to achieving economic, social and territorial development by reducing disparities between European regions. Simultaneously, regarding the external implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the Commission also presented on November 22nd 2016 a Communication on the review of the European Consensus on Development (2005), seeking to adapt the development policy of the EU to the new international development architecture. The revised European Consensus will be adopted in 2017 and is organized around the 5Ps of the Agenda 2030. It will have a decisive impact on the elaboration of development instruments and programmes of the EU and its Member States, fostering their alignment with the SDGs and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. On the other hand, the EU's impact outside its borders is not limited to its external action agenda. Many EU policies contribute to the implementation of the SDGs worldwide. Therefore, achieving coherence across all EU policies is crucial to achieving the SDGs.

Other ongoing multilateral processes Moreover, Portugal has been strongly involved in the efforts undertaken by other international bodies to align their respective policies and instruments to the SDGs, in particular: i) the newly created contact network of the Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP) [Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries] aimed at achieving the SDGs and, in so doing, promotes experience-sharing and partnerships for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; ii) the adoption of an Action Plan of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on the SDGs with a view to mainstream the SDGs across 102

the organisation’s work; and iii) the process of modernizing the OECD Development Assistance Committee, financing tools and the statistical reporting system, in the light of the SDGs.

Institutional model applied in Portugal: coordination and participation The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was responsible for coordinating the national position for the drafting of the 2030 Agenda. However, its implementation at the national level brings new challenges, which require some reshaping of institutional models to reflect and meet the inherent cross-sector coordination requirements. In this process, it is also relevant to create mechanisms that provide the necessary coordination between the various institutional stakeholders, with a view to present progress reports in a number of different fora in which the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is discussed. Accordingly, the Council of Ministers has adopted the first intra-governmental guidelines for the 2030 Agenda on February 25th 2016. Taking into account the need for a close alignment between the two lines of action of this Agenda – the internal and the external ones –, as well as the necessary structured dialogue with the United Nations bodies, within which the political management of the implementation will be carried out, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assumed the overall coordination, together with the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructures. Pursuant to these guidelines, this role is played at an institutional level through the commissions responsible for the inter-ministerial coordination on foreign policy (acting as a coordination forum in charge of overseeing the domestic implementation by several ministries and preparing the reports that will inform the monitoring processes at different levels) and the inter-ministerial coordination on development cooperation (responsible for coordinating the incorporation of the SDGs into the national Development Cooperation, with regards to the external dimension of the Agenda). In operational terms, a network of focal points from different government departments has been established. This mechanism enables, in a consistent and integrated manner, public authorities to better coordinate and exchange information between each other, thus contributing to regular updates and monitoring of the progress the country is achieving during this 15-year time horizon. Thereafter, each of the SDGs was allocated to a coordinating ministry responsible for its implementation, monitoring and review. However, within a complementarity framework, it is important to promote the constant dialogue with other ministries and stakeholders, in a spirit of cooperation, with a view to implement this Agenda with an integrated and inclusive approach. In this context, the country’s baseline analysis on the implementation of the Agenda began with the collection of data and information in relation to all 17 SDGs, and, as a result, leading to a mapping of national policies contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In this exercise, one should underline the crucial role of Statistical Portugal and the Agency for Development and Cohesion. Indeed, in view of the challenges facing the country, the availability of data (in both quantitative and qualitative terms – available online at www.ine.pt 4 ) is essential for planning, monitoring and reviewing economic and social programmes and policies with an impact on development.

4

See INE > Statistical information > Thematic files > Sustainable Development Goals.

103

It should also be noted that the local authorities play a significant role in implementing the 2030 Agenda within their territory, through a set of initiatives that, in respect of their local autonomy, undoubtedly contributes to the implementation process at the national level, as a result of proximity and concrete action. Simultaneously, a public consultation on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the national and local levels took place in 2016. This process was led by a group of nongovernmental organizations of the Portuguese civil society5, with the support of Camões – Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, I.P. [Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language] and the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe, with a view to collecting input on the operationalization, evaluation and monitoring of the Agenda, namely for the purpose of preparing periodic sectorial “shadow reports”. Between April and July 2016, eight workshops took place, in different parts of the country, with a significant geographical scope, engaging participants representing more than 130 organizations. Moreover, this process included an online enquiry in an attempt to reach a wider audience and provide an opportunity for every citizen to share views, individually or on behalf of an organization. The main recommendations drawn from the civil society consultation process were presented during a seminar taking place at the Portuguese Parliament on April 19th 2017, contributing to the planning and implementation debates of the 2030 Agenda in Portugal. In addition, being aware of the holistic and inclusive nature of this exercise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized, on March 29th 2017, a multi-stakeholder seminar bringing together representatives of civil society. The purpose of this event was to present the inter-ministerial work, inform about the methodology used for drafting the present report as well as the next steps be taken in preparation for the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, and hear the participating organizations’ views on how the 2030 Agenda has been integrated into their own activities. Furthermore, the United Nations Global Compact Network Portugal coordinates the multi-stakeholder platform SDG Alliance Portugal, whose purpose is to raise awareness, inform, implement, monitor and evaluate the contribution of the private sector and other civil society partners to the SDGs at national level. Determined to build bridges for dialogue and cooperation, as advocated by SDG17, it creates a sustainable basis for the development of partnerships, projects, programmes and actions within the framework of the 2030 Agenda. The encouragement of partnerships is thus both a necessity and a priority, to be continuously updated within the scope of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

National priorities The main level of the implementation process of the 2030 Agenda being undoubtedly the national one, each country has to establish how the SDGs should be implemented. Given that there are 17 SDGs and 169 targets, there is a natural tendency for each State to establish its own strategic priorities. According to this perspective, a reflection on the country’s

5

Animar – Associação Portuguesa para o Desenvolvimento Local [Portuguese Association for Local Development]; CNJ – Conselho Nacional de Juventude [National Youth Council]; Minha Terra – Federação Portuguesa de Associações de Desenvolvimento Local [Portuguese Federation of Associations for Local Development]; PpDM – Plataforma Portuguesa para os Direitos das Mulheres [Portuguese Platform for Women’s Rights] e Plataforma Portuguesa das ONGD [Portuguese Platform for Non-Governmental Development Organizations].

104

priorities is part of the national ambition, as a strategy closely associated with the crosscutting evaluation of the state of play of the SDGs implementation. While respectful of the national priorities and strategic guidelines, the 2030 Agenda implementation is carried out in: i) a full and comprehensive manner, taking into account the national effort to achieve all SDGs; ii) an integrated approach ensuring a global perspective on sustainable development promotion and avoiding considering policies in separate silos; and iii) a focused attitude, by clearly identifying priority areas in the light of the country’s development strategy, particularly embodied in the National Reform Programme. Streamlining the 2030 Agenda into national strategies, plans and policies revolves around five thematic areas: • People – reflecting the determination to end poverty and hunger, in all forms and dimensions, and ensuring that all human beings can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment; • Prosperity – ensuring that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature; • Planet – strengthening the conviction that the planet needs to be protected from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations; • Peace – emphasizing the determination to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence, while recalling that there can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development; • Partnership – mobilizing the means required to implement the 2030 Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people, leaving no one behind.

In light of the foregoing, Portugal embodies its strategic priorities for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in SDG 4, 5, 9, 10, 13 and 14.

105

In relation to this aspect, as set out in the National Reform Programme, Portugal attaches great importance to education, training and skills throughout life. In so doing, Portugal seeks to reverse historical lags and exclusions having a direct impact on well-being, economic performance, fighting poverty, promoting equality and social cohesion, citizenship and on environment. Therefore, SDG4 – Quality Education is regarded as a priority area and cross-cutting issue for other Sustainable Development Goals. One fundamental task of the State is to promote equality between women and men. Non-discrimination on grounds of gender identity or sexual orientation is a fundamental principle of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic and a structural element of the democratic rule of law. There is a clear obligation on any government to pursue active gender equality policies – a duty built on an obligation that applies to society in general. The gender equality dimension should therefore be taken into account whenever any public policy is devised and carried out. Equality between women and men is in itself an imperative and a social purpose; it is essential to fully experience citizenship and as such it is a prerequisite for building a modern, fair and equitable society, as well as for achieving truly sustainable development that fully respects human dignity. Thus, when prioritizing the SDGs at the national level, the high relevance of SDG5 – Gender Equality was identified. On the other hand, economic growth, social development and climate change mitigation and adaptation are intertwined with investment in adequate infrastructure, in a modern, entrepreneurial and sustainable industry, with technological progress and the digitalization of the economy. Portugal is committed to addressing these challenges by presenting, to this end, strategies and programmes aimed at supporting and developing the infrastructure, industry and innovation sectors, while mobilizing public and private resources for that purpose. In its programme, the current Government has announced its intention to create the dynamics for balanced economic growth and social cohesion, which mutually reinforce one another, ensuring consolidation of public finances; and adopted its mediumterm strategy for development of the Portuguese economy in the National Reform Programme. It is therefore a priority to achieve SDG9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Within a prosperity framework, the principle of economic, social and territorial cohesion, widely recognized as the new paradigm of territorial development, attempts to tackle social and economic inequalities, as well as regional disparities, while being firmly based on the development of strategies to promote social justice as a normative principle associated with equity and equal opportunities. In the short-term, the Government’s priorities for 2016-2017 include: i) fighting poverty and social exclusion, by implementing measures especially aimed at the most vulnerable groups; ii) reducing inequalities by further increasing the disposable household income; and iii) promoting access to essential goods and public services for all citizens. This aspect will be reinforced in the fight against poverty and in protecting human dignity. The structural intervention intended for these areas shall therefore be underpinned by sustainable and multifaceted criteria. It will cover areas as diverse as health, education, a fairer and more inclusive labour market, income recovery and a more balanced distribution of income, through wage policy, social protection, and fiscal policy, adjusted to new social trends and guaranteeing minimum social standards to the most vulnerable people. In this context priority is given to SDG10 – Reducing inequalities. As mentioned above, the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out clear economic, environmental and social goals, including concrete targets to combat climate change. In this context, two major international agreements were recently achieved: (1) a comprehensive global market-based mechanism for measuring aviation CO2 emissions 106

within the framework of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); and (2) the Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), one of the most powerful greenhouse gases (GHG). The challenge in 2017 and in the coming years includes ensuring that national authorities, the private sector and civil society uphold the implementation of agreed commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase their share of renewable and clean energy, improve energy efficiency and increase the interconnection capacity, thereby gradually reinforcing the level of ambition set out in the Paris Agreement. Such commitments may be reviewed in 2018. In this context, the responses to climate change (mitigation and adaptation policies) should be framed and integrated so as to promote the proper planning and development of a resilient, competitive and low-carbon economy. Accordingly, the high relevance of SDG13 – Climate Action should be noted. Finally, in a geopolitical context, Portugal is the largest coastal Member State of the European Union, and as such plays a central role in the Atlantic basin. Its maritime area covers about 4 million km² of continuous coastline, establishing the breadth of an inter-territorial sea that brings both an archipelagic and an Atlantic dimensions to the country. Consequently, Portugal plays a relevant role in ocean sustainability and governance. Considering the importance of the Sea from the point of view of its History, geography and identity, Portugal has been supporting the United Nations efforts to promote a global mobilization for the protection of the oceans and the sustainable exploitation of their resources. As seldom before, 2017 will be a particularly intense, rich and demanding year regarding the thematic area of Oceans within the United Nations framework, calling its Member States to make additional efforts towards political and diplomatic mobilization and involvement in several ongoing negotiations, in order to meet the challenges ahead. This framework supports the prioritization of a last, but not least important SDG, SDG14 – Protecting Marine Life.

National ambition to achieve sustainable development Regarding the national commitment to sustainable development, enshrined in the Constitution, Portugal volunteers to present its national efforts to review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the 5th High-level Political Forum in the year whose focus theme is poverty eradication and promoting prosperity in a changing world. The set of goals to be reviewed in depth at the global level this year are SDG 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 14 and 17. The fact that 3 of the national priorities that have been identified are to be reviewed this year should also be underlined. This report sets out the national voluntary review of the implementation process of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as a result of inter-ministerial coordination and public consultation efforts. It reflects the national perspective on each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, identifies priorities and challenges, policies and initiatives contributing towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, and sharing good practices and national measures with the world. Much more than just a reporting exercise, this document testifies Portugal’s strong commitment to sustainable development, human rights and multilateralism embodied in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

107

Qatar [Originally submitted in English]

Introduction The State of Qatar relies on the principle of strategic planning in its economic, social and environmental progress in order to improve the quality of life and well-being of its citizens. Since 2008, Qatar has adopted the Qatar National Vision QNV 2030, which is based on the principles of its permanent constitution and reflects the aspirations and high values of the Qatari people. QNV aims to transform Qatar in 2030 into a developed country capable of achieving sustainable development, and ensuring a continuous decent living for its current and future generations. This vision came to crown the intensive consultations with all categories of Qatari people, reflecting their aspirations and values. QNV 2030 further calls for the establishment of a society of justice and equality, the protection of public and personal freedoms as well as values and traditions, and ensuring security, stability and equal opportunities. The vision is built on four pillars, namely: • First: Human development, which aims to develop the people of Qatar to enable them sustain a prosperous society based on an educational system that complies with international standards, builds on the best educational systems worldwide, provides opportunities for citizens to develop their abilities and equips them with best training to succeed in a changing world where scientific requirements are increasing. • Second: Social development, which aims to develop a just and secure society based on good morals and social welfare, and capable of interacting with other societies and playing an important role in the global partnership for development, as well as enhancing Qatar's role at the regional and international levels. Social development further aims to secure basic needs, ensure equal opportunities for citizens and empower women to play an effective role in all aspects of life, especially their participation in social and political decision-making. • Third: Economic development, which aims to develop a diversified and competitive national economy capable of meeting the needs of its citizens at present and in the future. The sustainability of development progress requires a wise management of depleted resources to ensure that future generations have adequate resources and capabilities to meet their aspirations; creating a balance between reserves, production and effective economic diversification; establishing a skilled highly productive labor force; providing support to develop capacities for entrepreneurship, scientific research and innovation; and transforming Qatar into a regional knowledge hub. Thanks to national efforts, Qatar has made significant progress in developing a political and regulatory environment that supports the business sector. However, there is still a need to enhance competitiveness and attract investment in a mobile international economy that is not constrained by geographical boundaries. • Fourth: Environmental development, which aims to ensure harmony and consistency between economic and social development and environmental protection, stemming from a sense of responsibility. Accordingly, there will be a fine balance and integration between the requirements of social, economic and environmental development. It further aims to deal with global environmental issues such as climate change, global warming and its economic and social impacts.

First: Qatar's Experience in the First National Development Strategy (2011-2016) and the Second National Development Strategy (2017-2022) The QNV 2030 envisages to bridge between the present and the future, envisions a society of justice and equality and conserves and uses resources wisely with greater 108

transparency and accountability6. In order to achieve this vision, the State of Qatar prepared its first National Development Strategy NDS 2011-20167, and embarked on implementation of the Second National Development Strategy NDS 2017-20228.

1.

First National Development Strategy NDS (2011-2016)

It should be noted here that the National Development Strategy NDS 2011-2016 preceded the issuance of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, adopting many of the Agenda’s SDGs and dealing with 14 Sector Strategies. In terms of human development, the national health strategy has been adopted under the term "caring for healthy people", ensuring health and well-being for all. Primary care has also been adopted as a basis for healthcare, hospital services have increased and an integrated continuous healthcare system has been applied in accordance with international standards. Focus and attention have been given to preventive healthcare and training of a skilled national labor force, in accordance with the enforced health policy. Hence, emergency and pharmacy services have improved and all children have been vaccinated. With regards to education and training strategy, it has emphasized providing access to quality, equitable and inclusive education for all and has increased the enrollment rate in higher education for boys and girls. It aims to further improve the quality of higher education and promote technical education, vocational training, scientific research and innovation. The first NDS 2011-2016 also promoted an efficient and highly motivated and productive labor force through the implementation of a set of measures to develop human capital, increase labor market efficiency and adopt a wage protection system for private sector workers. In terms of social development, the first NDS aimed to develop an integrated methodology that takes into account the well-being of the people of Qatar and creates a safe, secure and stable society that establishes cohesive families with moral, religious and humanitarian values and an effective social protection system for all, ensuring sufficient income to lead a healthy dignified life in a secure and stable society under the principles of justice, equality and the rule of law. The family cohesion and women’s empowerment sector strategy has been adopted. It focuses on the importance of a solid-structured family that cares for its members, maintains human values and ideals and attaches great importance to building women's capacities and empowering them to participate in all areas. The social protection sector strategy has also been adopted. It seeks to build a social protection system that preserves rights, values the contribution of all, provides a fair retirement system and cares for all categories. All of the above has been based on gender equality, defending issues related to women and improving their level of economic and social empowerment. The security and public safety sector received a considerable attention. Several programs and projects have been adopted to build an effective and integrated criminal information management system and to develop a secure system for traffic safety, occupational safety and disaster management.

6

General Secretariat for Development Planning. Qatar National Vision 2030, July 2008. General Secretariat for Development Planning. Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016, March 2011. 8 3 Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. Qatar's Second National Development Strategy 2017-2022, May 2017, under printing. 7

109

At the economic level, the first NDS 2011-2016 aimed at promoting three parallel and interconnected trends, namely: • Expanding the production base, which is a precondition for a sustainable prosperity in a population-growing economy that aims to provide more opportunities for future generations. •

Ensuring economic stability and enhancing efficiency.

• Diversifying the economy and encouraging a culture of research and innovation in cooperation with the private sector. In terms of expanding the production base, many projects were implemented with regards to improving infrastructure and developing industries. The public finance was linked to the national development strategy and the finance sector was developed, with emphasis on steady, comprehensive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all. In this regard, the Competition Act and the Program for the Liberalization of Foreign Investment were both enacted, and the small and medium enterprises were promoted. As for sustainable consumption and production patterns as stated in the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, the water and electricity tariff has gradually increased. Fuel subsidies were lifted so as to reflect their actual economic costs of production, and to avoid the lavish consumption pattern, thus controlling consumption and increasing production. In order to ensure that everyone has access to water, energy and sewage services with sustainable management, the first NDS adopted the goal of promoting water use efficiency and rationalization for the preservation and delivery of clean water for all. An independent and integrated water and electricity regulating agency was established to ensure sustainable water management. Wastewater treatment networks were expanded to increase the use of recycled wastewater. Also, access to modern energy services at affordable and sustainable cost was provided for all. Furthermore, the issue of climate change was given great attention, as well as improving air quality, reducing gas combustion and increasing environmental awareness. Attention was also given to oceans, seas and marine resources, the conservation and enhancement of fish stocks, the protection of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, waste reduction and recycling and the construction of corridors for green spaces. The first NDS also encouraged innovation, research development, technology transfer and the creation of appropriate infrastructure in this regard. Thus, Qatar has allocated 2.8% of government spending for research and development.

2.

Second National Development Strategy NDS (2017-2022)

The second NDS 2017-2022 is following the same pattern so as to finalize public sector modernization processes, economic infrastructure works and rationalization of the subsidies system. The goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 have been incorporated into the second NDS 2017-2022 in order to follow up on its implementation (see Table 1). This Agenda has thus become harmonized and integrated with the second NDS’s priorities which comprise eight main sectors: •

Education and training; led by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

•

Health care; led by the Ministry of Public Health.

• Social protection; led by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs.

110

•

Cultural enrichment and sports excellence; led by the Ministry of Culture and

•

Public security and safety; led by the Ministry of Interior.

•

International cooperation; led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sports.

• Economic diversification and private sector development, led by the Ministry of Economy and Trade. • Environmental sustainability, natural resources and economic infrastructure; led by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the Ministry of Energy and Industry and the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The second NDS 2017-2022 also focuses on thematic reports, namely: •

Institutional development and financial management.

•

Population, labor force and sustainable development.

Second: NDS Management to Achieve QNV 2030 The State of Qatar manages its NDS based on several tools, most notably the follow-up of the strategy performance measurement indicators to infer the progress of the development process. The performance management system has been designed to include the tools necessary to monitor and follow up the progress in the performance of development projects that have been set to achieve the strategic goals through clear, measurable and comparable performance measurement standards. The system will also provide procedures for a periodic measurement of performance and effectiveness of performance of inputs (resources), the efficiency of implementation (procedures) and the extent to which the desired impact is achieved (result measurement).

Third: Qatar’s Role in Contribution to Relevant Priorities of Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 Qatar contributes to helping many Arab, African and Asian countries to combat poverty by providing development and relief assistance. It has spent about US$ 2 billion in 2014 as development assistance.9 With respect to health care, the State provides various health services that are accessible and affordable for all. In terms of education and training, the state's policies have led to the provision of free education at all levels and increased enrollment in various levels of education. In addition to Qatar University, universities with a global reputation have been attracted to join the Education City of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. They sought to diversify the pathways to continue higher education, developed quality assurance systems for higher education, developed a comprehensive national curriculum framework for public schools that allows the development of more appropriate curricula, taking into account individual differences among students. As for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, the Qatari Constitution and laws guaranteed the same and provided universal access to free education at all levels and to health services and employment. Unemployment rates in Qatar were among

9

MDPS, NDS 2 2017-2022, May 2017, under printing

111

the lowest. Besides, the law gave Qatari women the right to ownership, entrepreneurship and access to leadership positions in all sectors. The projects of the Second National Development Strategy ensured the availability of low-cost sustainable drinking water in accordance with local and international standards. According to 2015 statistics, treated water amounts to about 195 million m3 per year, about 50% of which is used for irrigation of public gardens, animal feed farming , and provision of sanitation services for all. This ensured the reduction of drinking water loss, consumption rates, groundwater depletion and electricity consumption rates, and also encouraged the production of renewable energies. As for the promotion of economic growth, the performance of the Qatari economy exceeded expectations during the period (2011-2016), due to the great momentum of investment spending and its impact on the economic sectors. Public investment spending grew at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9% during NDS-1 as a result of the implementation of infrastructure, health and education projects. This was accompanied by an expansion in private investment and state-owned enterprises investment, which accounted for 77% of gross fixed capital expenditure. As noted above, although the previous record period of economic expansion ended in 2011 with the completion of the final LNG projects, the growth of the Qatari economy in the remaining period of the strategy (2012-2016 ) exceeded that of the global economy. The Second NDS considers climate change as one of the most significant challenges the world is facing, especially countries that produce oil and gas and have petrochemical projects and plants like Qatar. Climate change has become a reality in view of Qatar’s average annual temperature increase by 0.3 degrees over the past 40 years. The average annual temperature is expected to rise by 1.5 to 3 degrees by 2050 and by 2.3 to 5.9 degrees by 2100, which will cause many negative effects. With regard to Qatar's foreign policy, the second sustainable development strategy calls for peaceful solutions to conflicts, renunciation of wars, social justice and good governance, combating poverty, promoting transparency, accountability and cooperation, enhancing means for implementing and revitalizing global partnership for sustainable development, and expanding partnership between State institutions, civil society and the private sector. It also calls for activating voluntary social action and community participation, increasing national development efforts that support peace and security at the regional and international levels. It supports international cooperation, increase of Qatar's development and relief initiatives worldwide, activation of international cooperation agreements in the field of culture, sports and youth, promotion the role of culture and sport to activate global partnership and achieve sustainable development, using technology and innovation.

112

Fourth: Qatar's local and international efforts in the field of statistics With regard to the efforts exerted by the State in the area of statistics, it responded to the call of the United Nations Statistics Division and joined the Global Project on the Transformative Agenda for Official Statistics, which aims to transform and modernize the national statistical system to collect, process and disseminate unprecedented quantity of traditional and nontraditional statistical indicators classified according to various categories in order to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Development Agenda from the indicators agreed upon by the United Nations Statistical Commission in order to monitor progress in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. The Ministry also undertook the implementation of the Transformative Agenda for Official Statistics in cooperation with the United Nations Statistics Division and regional and Arab organizations. It was announced on 30 April 2017. The Ministry adopted the strategic directions, objectives and necessary basic procedures that based on the following five drivers: 1.

Coordination and partnership between national statistical system stakeholder:

This shall be achieved through partnerships with ministries, government agencies, private sector companies, universities, research centers and civil society organizations; through agreement with all parties to the national statistical system in order to ensure the 113

production of qualitative data, in accordance with internationally agreed standards; and through coordination with data users on quality, comprehensiveness and timeliness standards. 2.

Communication and advocacy:

It aims at developing an enabling institutional and regulatory frameworks for national statistics in compliance with the principles of official statistics, expanding the user community, improving statistical knowledge and enhancing access to data through the use of modern communication techniques; including social media, the development of a communication strategy, adoption of a data dissemination policy, adoption of an integrated data Repository platform on the Internet that uses Business Intelligence tools to access data. 3.

Integrated statistical systems for data collection, processing and dissemination:

In this regard, the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has worked to identify gaps in the production of integrated data, support the development and implementation of sound regulatory and administrative guidelines for the statistical system, enhance the professionalism of statistical services by developing specialized organizational units in national statistical agencies that deal with methodology, quality assurance, data collection and dissemination, especially on sustainable development agenda indicators, with a view to monitoring progress in the implementation of National Development Strategy 20172022 and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. 4. Innovation and modernization through standard-based statistical business architecture: The Ministry will promote such architecture; consolidate production processes within and across the national statistical system; exchange and gradually reuse innovative tools and techniques; support the development and application of common statistical forms; build and use statistical records in accessing data from multiple sources and linking it to survey data; and build platforms for the dissemination of social, economic and environmental data and their geo-referencing. 5.

Capacity building and resource mobilization:

The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics is in the process to complete institutional capacity building, develop a new generation of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics, review laws governing the statistical process in Qatar, complete technical training, integrate highly-capable human resources and information Technology within the national statistical system, develop courses on change management, and identify innovative tools for collecting, processing and disseminating data to monitor the implementation of the National Development Strategy 2017-2022 and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.

Conclusion: The State of Qatar has adopted sustainable development as a strategic choice articulated in the four pillars of Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and translated into Qatar’s National Development Strategy 2011- 2016, launched in March 2011, which represents QNV 2030’s commitment to achieve sustainable development with full responsibility. It aims to lead the state towards a sustainable development path that ensures prosperity, and harmonizes economic, social and environmental results. It also adopts South-South

114

cooperation. Indeed, NDS-1has achieved success on several levels, increasing awareness about the importance of sustainability. In order to complete the development process, the Second National Development Strategy 2017-2022 was prepared, drawing on the successful lessons of the first national experience, taking into account the success achieved and the challenges emerged. The Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 was integrated into NDS, whereas its 17 objectives and 169 targets were aligned with the 8 sectors of NDS 2017-2022. In the same context, the State has joined the transformation and modernization project in the official statistics system managed by the United Nations Statistics Division in order to build a modern statistical system that meets the needs of national and international users of statistical data required to monitor progress in national development and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030. It also provides the agreed upon (230) indicators within the United Nations Statistical Commission, produces national reports and provides international organizations with indicators needed for the issuance of international reports.

Slovenia [Originally submitted in English]

SLOVENIAN CONTRIBUTION TO ERADICATING POVERTY AND PROMOTING PROSPERITY IN A CHANGING WORLD Slovenia considers the 2030 Agenda to be the most comprehensive development action plan thus far. It is global and universal. It is people- and planet-oriented. It promises to leave no one behind and to build a life of dignity for each and every individual. Furthermore, it includes a vision that – through collective action – we can ensure well-being for all. Agenda 2030 is aligned with the Vision of Slovenia, which foresees Slovenia in the future as a country where, “…in harmony with our environment and our era, we have achieved a balanced, highquality standard of living. By learning throughout our lives, we are well-equipped to take on the biggest challenges. We are innovative and translate ideas into actions. We create positive relationships based on trust and are building a society of solidarity and tolerance. With confidence, we open Slovenia to partners willing to cooperate. We are proud that our cultural uniqueness makes a difference around the world.” Slovenia has a strong tradition of promoting sustainable development. Policies and measurements in the last decade have significantly contributed to the fact that in many areas Slovenia's current SDG performance is strong, notably in aspects of the environment, health, and sustainable tourism. Moreover, inequality has fallen and is among the lowest in OECD, as measured by income redistribution and income growth for the bottom 40% of the population. However, the need to develop more agile and adaptable policies that take into account unpredictable, faster paced and more fundamental shifts in the world as well as addressing the challenges in Slovene society called upon the Government to develop a new approach towards planning for the future, which includes designing and implementing coherent policies for sustainable development. A clear commitment has been set to prepare a new long-term national development strategy and continue our development path towards sustainable, inclusive, and responsible development. Slovenia has started its nation-wide process of preparing a national development strategy that will be forward-looking, close to the people,

115

for the people and with a clear vision of what Slovenia as a country and a nation wants to be in the future. We decided in the early days of this process that Slovenia will implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a national level by embedding them into our own National Development Strategy 2030, rather than designing a separate process in parallel. The main goal and strategic direction that drives the preparation of the national development strategy is a better quality of life for all. Our national development strategy will set ambitious objectives across the three dimensions of sustainable development and will seek balance between a resilient, inclusive and responsible society, a highly productive economy that provides value for all, economic growth that must be inclusive and green, learning for and through life as a value and driver of development, efficient and competent governance driven by cooperation, and a wellpreserved natural environment. Slovenia wants to be a responsible global citizen; while we are setting our own path towards well-being, we are acutely aware of our shared responsibility for global peace and prosperity. Therefore, our national development strategy will also address our commitment to implement the 2030 Agenda globally. At the regional and global levels, Slovenia will continue to contribute to the poverty eradication and sustainable development on the basis of updated legal and strategic documents on International Development Cooperation. Our goal for the future is clear – to further strengthen our international development cooperation and demonstrate that the efforts of small countries can be a significant contribution to the realization of global development objectives. The Slovenian voluntary national report (VNR) on implementation of the Agenda 2030 provides information on the progress and status of the SDGs in Slovenia as well as describing the unique approach of transforming the 17 SDGs into Slovenian development strategy. The main plans and next steps in the implementation process are also described. Participation at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and the process of preparing VNR in 2017 gave additional impetus to build partnerships among ministries, civil society, business sector, parliamentarians, and academia, to work diligently in building a whole-of-a-government approach and breaking apart silos. The report presents an overview of the Slovenian institutional framework for the coordination of sustainable development issues. A preliminary gap analysis of government’s policies and existing measurements and the SDGs and their 169 targets was initiated in spring 2017 and was used as a relevant input for the review as well as the mapping of the new goals and objectives of the new national development strategy with the SDGs and their targets. With a high awareness that the future of humanity and of our planet lies in our hands and in the hands of today’s younger generation, the report includes the inputs of the representatives of the National Youth Council of Slovenia. The theme of the HLPF in 2017 calls upon as all to work together in eradicating poverty and promote prosperity in a changing world. It is within the power of us all, individuals, governments, business, civil society, young and old, to make the world a happier, better, and more prosperous place. Today, we are planning for the future, but let us not forget that we not only need to prepare to act. We need to act to be prepared and to provide the opportunities for all to flourish.

Sweden [Originally submitted in English]

116

Sweden wants to be a leader in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda – both nationally and globally. The 2030 Agenda involves a process of gradual transition and further development of the Swedish social model as a modern and sustainable welfare state. Everyone should be involved in this process; no one should be left behind! It is essential with broad ownership, among all actors in society. Ownership and participation that are developed and deepened over time. The shared commitment, building on knowledge and insight, from local to national level, creates the necessary foundation. The effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda is demonstrated through decisions and measures in day-to-day activities and existing governance processes. Regular activities in the public sector – and in society as a whole – must be permeated by sustainable development as expressed in the 2030 Agenda. The strengthened cooperation between all actors that will be needed to implement the 2030 Agenda reinforces the core values and cohesion of Swedish society. This increases Sweden’s competitiveness as a knowledge and innovation nation and enables Sweden to contribute at global level. The partnership-driven process in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda will be developed with innovative thinking in terms of strategic and operational governance. This is the key to strengthened institutional capacity and willingness to change, as well as effective mobilisation and use of resources, in the public and private sector as well as in the civil society. Internationally, Sweden is working for increased cooperation and new partnerships between countries, business, the social partners, civil society organisations and the knowledge-based society in different parts of the world. Sweden’s focus and contributions target equitable and sustainable global development. The Government is pursuing an ambitious coherence policy that places the rights perspective and the perspective of poor people at the core. Solidarity is a cornerstone of this work. Engagement at local level is crucial. Gender equality and all women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights is a prerequisite for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Sweden and in the world. STRONG STARTING POSITION, BUT ALSO CHALLENGES Sweden has a favourable starting position for implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Peaceful and democratic conditions have characterised the country for a long time and have enabled the development of a culture of collaboration between different actors in society – political, economic and social. Economic growth has been strong over time. It builds on a dynamic private sector with an international outlook. The social partners have been well organised and clearly focused on negotiations to find solutions. Through the democratic and political path, Sweden has been able to develop a welfare model with the ambition and the ability to guarantee all inhabitants access to health care, school and education, housing and employment. Since the 1990s and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, Sweden has been working actively on sustainability issues at local, national, and international level. Sweden’s first national sustainable development strategy was adopted by the Government and the Parliament in 2002. In the same year, a provision was added to the Swedish Constitution stating that sustainable development leading to a good environment for present and future generations must be promoted by the State. At the end of 2003, the Parliament adopted a policy for equitable and sustainable global development – the Policy for Global Development – which stresses that coherence between different policy areas is needed to promote sustainable development. The Government pursues a feminist policy. Gender equality is core for setting priorities and decisions, both nationally and internationally.

117

In 2003, the Parliament decided on the Swedish objective for public health policy – to create social conditions for good health on equal terms for the entire population. In recent years, the Government has had a particular attention on antibiotic resistance. In 2010, the Government appointed the Cross-Party Committee on Environmental Objectives with a mandate until 2020, tasked with presenting proposals on how Sweden’s environmental quality objectives and the generational goal can be achieved. The generational goal means that the conditions for solving environmental problems are to be met within one generation and that environmental policy should be directed towards ensuring that. In recent years, migration policy and the refugee situation have been high on the agenda for Sweden, from a national and an international perspective, with purpose to facilitate well-functioning migration. A systematic follow-up is an important and integral part of Sweden’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda and sustainable development goals. The government authority Statistics Sweden has drawn up a report providing the preliminary assessment of how Sweden is living up to the various goals and targets. In several areas, Sweden is doing well by international standards – for example in terms of the poverty and hunger goals, and the goals on education, health, water and infrastructure. As regards the climate goal, Sweden’s emissions of greenhouse gases were reduced by 25 per cent between 1990 and 2015. There are several challenges that Sweden faces in ensuring that the goals and targets can be achieved. Not least, it is important to find methods to quickly and effectively contribute to sustainable energy and climate resilient pathways both in Sweden and in other parts of the world, and achieve the targets for sustainable seas and marine resources. Sweden faces major challenges regarding the goal of achieving sustainable consumption and production in Sweden and abroad. At home, Sweden also faces a number of challenges related to inequalities: to reduce income gaps (including between women and men for the same work), increase the disposable incomes of certain vulnerable groups and achieve health equality and equal opportunities for learning. People with disabilities, refugees and other migrants and some older and young people have a harder time establishing themselves on the labour market. There are still a number of challenges in Sweden in achieving gender equality and the full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls. INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNANCE Extensive work is under way in Sweden that contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The knowledge and commitment of the population is of fundamental importance. The Parliament has examined and decided on several of the Government’s Communications and Bills that have a particular bearing on the 2030 Agenda. All ministries have produced action plans that provided a basis for the Government Communication from 2016 on the Policy for Global Development linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, and have reported on their implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The reports show that all of the sustainable development goals are reflected in the activities of the ministries. In March 2016, the Government appointed a committee tasked with supporting work on Sweden’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda nationally and internationally. The committee presented on 1 June 2017 a proposal for an action plan for the 2030 Agenda. The proposal, which will be considered by the Government in 2017, will serve as a basis for establishing a national action plan for the Agenda. The Committe is also conducting a broad dialogue on sustainable development with government agencies, county councils and municipalities, the social partners, the business sector, civil society and the research community. The important process of making the 2030 Agenda an integral part of the Government Offices’ regular activities has begun. It will be a crucial task for the Government Offices to ensure that future annual budget processes integrates the 2030 Agenda. PARTNERSHIP AT ALL LEVELS

118

At the core of the Swedish social model is a long tradition of cooperation and collaboration, both nationally and internationally, which is essential for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In 2016, a number of multi-stakeholder platforms and partnerships with bearing on the Agenda were created. The Policy for Global Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development are key instruments for the fulfilment of the Agenda 2030. Sweden’s international development assistance, with its goal of 1 per cent of GNI, is an important means of implementation.

Tajikistan [Originally submitted in English]

COUNTRY BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Republic of Tajikistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, with more than 93 percent of the territory covered by mountains. The population of the country is 8.5 million, 49% of them are women, and 35% are youth (under 14 years old), which makes Tajikistan one of the youthful countries in Central Asia. Tajikistan is ranked 85th as per its territory and has abundant hydropower and freshwater resources, and varied natural resources, as well as favorable conditions for growing organic food products. In addition to that Tajikistan is full of opportunities for brisk growth of eco-tourism, which is in line with the fundamental principles of human development in the context of access to natural resources. Tajikistan is ranked 85th as per Human Capital Index, 129th as per Human Development Index (2015, out of 188 countries and territories), 69th as per Gender Inequality Index (2015, out of 160 countries), 114th as per Global Innovation Index, 77th as per Global Competitiveness Index (2016) and 132nd (out of 189 countries) in “Doing Business, 2016” 1. INTRODUCTION In 2017, Tajikistan initiated preparation of the Voluntary National Review (VNR) to be presented at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). The main purpose of the VNR is to analyze progress towards implementing the SDGs at national level, as well as mainstreaming of Agenda 2030 into the national development policy through broad stakeholder participation. The main objective of the VNR is to facilitate the implementation of Agenda 2030 through sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learnt. Review is aimed to strengthen policy-making of the government and institutes in order to mobilize support and partnerships with engagement of various stakeholders for the implementation of SDGs. The theme of the VNR focuses on issues of eradication of poverty through the improvement of living standards in Tajikistan. The VNR considers the process of nationalizing the SDGs from the perspective of achieving two strategic development goals identified in the National Development Strategy for the period up to 2030 (NDS 2030): 1) ensure energy security and efficient use of electricity; and 2) ensure food security and people’s access to good quality nutrition. Other SDG related targets are also reflected in the VNR as crosssectorial issues: gender equality, industrialization, access to water and climate change. The 119

Review is prepared on the basis of series of consultations at the national and regional level, with the broad participation of stakeholders: governmental experts, including sectorial and local level specialists, UN agencies, and parliament members, civil society, academia, entrepreneurs and media, as well as representatives of the development partners in Tajikistan. The scrutiny of the VNR involved processing of information derived from official statistics, including administrative data provided by ministries and agencies, as well as reports and reviews produced by international organizations, expert evaluations, monitoring results of regional development programs, and other information from international sources. The recently adopted NDS -2030 and Mid-term Development Program of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2016-2020 (MTDP 2020) are two key tools for nationalization of the SDGs and its further integration into the national development policy. The Government of Tajikistan has identified four strategic development goals for the next 15 years which are fully aligned with the SDGs: I. Ensure energy security and efficient use of electricity (SDG 7); II. Exit from communication dead-lock and turn country into a transit path (SDG 9); III. Ensure food security and people’s access to good quality nutrition (SDG 1 and SDG 2); IV. Expand productive employment (SDG 8) Thus, NDS-2030 will be considered as a main strategy around which stakeholders will be implementing the SDGs, become the main enabler for achieving national development goals. The Review builds on the thematic goals and objectives for sustainable development – achievements of the MDGs, development priorities identified at NDS-2030 and MTDP 20162020, global water initiatives proposed by the Republic of Tajikistan and Year of Youth announced in Tajikistan in 2017. 2. ACHIEVEMENTS (MONITORING PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING MDGS) Tajikistan reported significant progress in achieving MDGs; however this progress was uneven. The goals related to extreme poverty eradication (MDG 1), education (MDG 2) and the global partnership (MDG 8) have been largely achieved. Poverty reduction was the main achievement of Tajikistan for the period of implementation of the MDGs. Since 2000 to 2015, the poverty rate dropped from 83% to 31%. In this indicator, Tajikistan was included in the list of top 10 states, which demonstrated the fastest pace of poverty reduction over the past 15 years. Poverty eradication remains an actual problem, but the achievement of agreed goals serves as a basis for changing approaches related to poverty issues through addressing food and energy security, water sector issues, climate change, and other SDGs affecting the livelihoods of Tajikistan’s population. Tajikistan has achieved nearly universal primary education. Growth of income and wages were main driving forces of improved livelihoods. Environmental sustainability goal (MDG 7) was achieved, as stated in MDG narrow approach. People enjoy improved access to drinking water and sanitation. However, environmental challenges and vulnerabilities (which were not reflected in MDG indicators) remain significant, particularly in the context of climate change. Climate change issue is addressed at a very high level of the Government of Tajikistan, as evidenced through initiation of glacier melting issue at the Global Agenda. Water sector demonstrates improved indicators on access of people to drinking water and sanitation. However, these issues are not addressed fully and require significant investments. Tajikistan is among the countries to initiate water discussions at global level. The country hosted several High-Level Water Forums. Tajikistan is a member of a global panel on water issues. 120

Infant and child mortality (MDG 4) and maternal mortality (MDG 5) rates are going down, however slower than required. As for MDG 6, thanks to joint efforts and participation of the global community, Tajikistan has fully achieved indicators on combating malaria. Hundreds of health, education, cultural and sport facilities were constructed and handedover. As for MDG 3 (gender equality) the progress is considered to be mixed. Through adoption of effective policy and legal framework, Tajikistan shows improvements by addressing existing gender inequalities and discrimination by the means of effectively applied policies and legislative norms. Tajikistan is positioning well in successfully implementing the SDGs, given the experience of Tajikistan in achieving MDGs, as well as recent adoption of the NDS 2030 (with the efforts to align NDS with the SDGs). In line with international obligations of Tajikistan in achieving SDGs, the NDS 2030 envisages to respect the principle of “inclusion” by mainstreaming needs of all population groups (based on gender, age, disability, social status, place of living, ethnicity etc.), as well as ensuring their representation. The analysis of the current country situation, as well as reflection of policies and strategies in the context of their integration with SDGs is an important part of the VNR. The Rapid Integrated Assessment was conducted in 2016, covering such aspects as integration of SDGs’ goals and targets into the national and sectorial strategic policies and action plans. Upon completion of the Rapid Integrated Assessment it was identified that around 64% of SDG targets are reflected in the national strategieс programmes of the Republic of Tajikistan. 3. PROBLEM-SETTING AND SITUATION ANALYSIS Given the complexity and indivisibility of SDGs, this chapter covers analysis of the thematic problems/challenges through the prism of poverty eradication in the context of food and energy security, and efficient use of water resources in Tajikistan. An important part of this chapter is the assessment of policies and strategies, particularly in terms of inclusion (integration) of various elements of Agenda 2030 into these policies and strategies, with a particular focus on targeted efforts for those, left behind. During transition to SDGs it shall be emphasized that several MDGs are not achieved. Achieved poverty reduction is uneven at sub-national level and clearly characterized by seasonality. Non-monetary poverty rate remains high, which is the reflection of lack of access to basic social and infrastructure services. Significant discrepancies are observed in the context of regional development, particularly in the field of quality of water used by urban and rural population for household and drinking purposes. A large gap across regions is observed at the level of social infrastructure development. At the same time, relatively high demographic burden in rural areas indicates sharp problems in employment and income-generation in rural areas. Access to power supply (electricity), given the specific conditions of Tajikistan, is the weakest link having a sharp negative effect on the achievement of a number of goals. The consequences are: limited industrial and non-industrial production and low productive employment, the use of unsafe solid fuel, as well as lack of access to education and health services. Chronic malnutrition is observed in the field of food security and nutrition, affecting around 26% of the population. Issues related to unequal access of women and men to material (land, finances etc.) and non-material (education, health etc.) resources remain sensitive. In order to promote gender equity, it is essential to harmonize goals and targets across adopted social-economic and gender strategies and programmes. Designing the M&E system for the SDGs remains an important task for successful implementation of the SDGs. In this regards, the Government of Tajikistan has been 121

conducting an analysis of global targets and indicators and its mainstreaming the system in the country. The design process of the M&E system is led by Government of Tajikistan with participation by various stakeholders and partners. However, there is a problem that hinders effective planning, implementation and monitoring of development activities. The problem is that sectorial, strategic, program and budget priorities have to be consistent with the new national strategic documents, as well as international obligations of Tajikistan in regards to SDGs. Such situation hampers the practical implementation of the national development priorities and significantly impedes monitoring and evaluation of implementation of outcomes from the strategic documents and SDGs. Moreover, existing sectorial programmes are often times not interlinked and do not comply with the standards of results- and target-based planning and are not linked with the national budget. Such situation might create a risk of inadequate supply of required resources. 4. VISION OF THE FUTURE BASED ON LESSONS LEARNT The NDS 2030 and its alignment with SDGs is the main vision of the Government of Tajikistan in the field of development and future of the country. Such vision lays a foundation to overcome existing challenges faced by the country. It is essential to have an effective cross-sector coordination mechanism in order to achieve overall implementation of SDGs. Such mechanism will ensure that relevant policies are developed and implemented in an agreed and comprehensive manner with participation of broad range of stakeholders, including parliament, civil society and private sector, as well as in cooperation with the development partners and UN agencies. Monitoring and reporting: It is envisaged that existing institutional mechanism for coordination, facilitation and monitoring of SDGs will be improved as a part of M&E of the SDGs’ implementation. Establishment of the cross-sectorial coordination mechanism will play an important role in the field of monitoring activities. Particular attention will be paid to the quality of data collection and introducing SDGs indicators. In order to ensure that “no one is left behind” in Tajikistan, it is proposed to pay particular attention to data disaggregation and localization of SDGs to meet demands of such populations groups like women, children, elderly people, rural communities and people with disabilities. Nationalization of the SDGs indicators: At this stage the SDGs are agreed at global level, and SDG-related targets are reflected in the national development documents. The next step is to introduce SDG indicators at the country level. Following shall be accomplished to achieve this next step: • Use global targets and indicators as a baseline for proposing series of the nationalized target and performance indicators, identified particularly for the context of Tajikistan; • Use National Development Council under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan as a platform for a broad participation of the stakeholders for agreeing corresponding goals, targets and indicators tailored to the national needs and circumstances; • Integrate related SDG indicators into the M&E system, which will be a priority for the next five years; • Ensure effective cohesion across policy goals and indicators in order to develop effective M&E system, starting from the several key SDGs sectors in support of implementation of the national development goals.

122

Financing the SDGs Given national budget constraints comprehensive funding of the SDGs agenda in Tajikistan seems to be impossible. It should be noted that the state investment strategy identifies concrete priorities. In this regards it is essential to take into account the role of international partners in achieving national SDGs. Some of the recommendations might include: • Utilize financial evaluation/assessment tools, such as “Expenditures review”. Such tools might help in finding methods for building confidence in commitment to institutional governance and public financial management in support of reforms which might accelerate the progress in implementing SDGs; • Coordination of donors’ and UN agencies’ activities in support of outcomes specified at the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and alignment with SDG-related progress ensures solid justification of the progress achieved at socialeconomic sphere and potential advancement in achievement of the SDGs. • To a large extent, the effectiveness of development activities in Tajikistan will depend on the effectiveness of result-oriented systems, monitoring and evaluation of national and sectorial development plans, particularly NDS 2030 and MTDP 2020.

There are several areas where Tajikistan is in need of financial support by international development partners: SDG 2 and SDG 7, and associated with them SDG 3, 5, 6, 9, 13 and 15. CONCLUSION Tajikistan continues to introduce elements of strategic planning for development of monitoring and evaluation system at the national level. To support these processes the country has developed and operationalized legal framework and methodological base. For the implementation of SDGs, the integration of strategic planning system at all levels of government is envisaged. In order to ensure achievement of a goal related to energy security and efficiency, as well as radical decline of poverty, the government plans to establish an effective risk management and monitoring system in the field of energy security, ensuring unlimited and fair access to energy to all. In support to SDG 6 and SDG 7, country plans to introduce an integrated water resource management. Challenges related to food security and access to quality food products in the context of poverty eradication and improvement of livelihoods will be addressed through promotion of agrarian and water reform, as well as stable growth of the agro-industrial sector and other interventions aimed at achievement of SDG 2. Another issue is about localization of SDGs, which will enable implementation and achievement of outcomes in key social and environmental goals. It is critical to increase the level of participation of civil society and a wider population in SDGs implementation at both national and regional levels. The national budget will be amongst the main sources to feed implementation of SDGs within the context of the NDS 2030 and MTDP 2020. UN agencies and development partners will also play a critical role in funding implementation of SDGs. Both foreign direct and domestic investments will play a more significant role in the implementation of SDGs. Financial support by development partners will be essential for the programmatic development of the country, including funds and technical assistance of the multilateral organizations in the field of design and advancement of reforms and interventions. Tajikistan expects that development partners will increase financial support for priority areas which are in line with the spirit of new global Goals of sustainable development agenda.

123

Thailand [Originally submitted in English]

INTRODUCTION Thailand attaches great importance to the concept of sustainable development which has long taken root in the country. The country has been guided by the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), conceived by His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. SEP has been adopted as the core principle of National Economic and Social Development Plan since 2002. The current constitution has integrated SEP and sustainable development as integral parts. The development approach based on SEP is in conformity with the core principle of the 2030 Agenda and can serve as an approach to support the realization of the SDGs. SEP promotes sustainability mindset and provides guidelines for inclusive, balanced and sustainable development. Therefore, SEP will continue to be our guiding principle in completing the unfinished MDGs business and achieving the SDGs. The cabinet has decided on 25 October 2016 to promote the application of SEP for SDGs in all areas and at all levels. Thailand has also been actively sharing SEP as a development model to the international community especially since her G-77 chairmanship in 2016. MAIN HIGHLIGHTS Mainstreaming the SDGs SEP and SDGs have been integrated in the 20 – Year National Strategy Framework and the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017 – 2021). As a result, plans and budgeting of all government agencies will be in line with SEP and SDGs. National Mechanism for Sustainable Development The National Committee for Sustainable Development (CSD), chaired by the Prime Minister, is Thailand’s main and highest mechanism responsible for the country’s sustainable development. It has 37 members from public, private academia and civil society, with the Secretary-General of National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) as the secretariat. The main task of CSD is formulating polices and strategies on national sustainable development and oversight their implementation, including the SDGs. It has established three sub-committees to advance the three inter - connected processes namely mobilizing the SDGs, raising awareness on sustainable development and the application of SEP, and compiling data and statistics to support the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda. Three taskforces were established and respectively tasked with (1) reviewing and recommending legal, economics and social measures necessary for achieving the SDGs; (2) coordinating works by numerous agencies, and priority setting; and (3) preparing report on Thailand’s progress, challenges, and recommendation in implementing the 2030 Agenda including the VNR. Key progress by the CSD CSD has undertaken several steps to advance the SDGs implementation including establishing coordinating body for each of the SDGs, formulating roadmaps for all 17 SDGs, identifying 30 priority targets, synthesizing examples of SEP for SDGs model projects, examining gaps and discrepancies between the national baselines and the proposed global indicators. Raising SDGs Awareness and Creating Ownership 124

Representatives of private sector, academia and CSOs were invited to be in the CSD and its subsidiaries. Several rounds of stakeholders’ engagement has been conducted including with the private sector, CSO of various constituencies, youth as well as the members of National Legislative Assembly. As a result, these stakeholders are making contributions in accordance with their respective roles and expertise. Global Compact Network Thailand and other private entities are very active in mainstreaming SDGs and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights into business operations. CSOs organized their own SDGs regional forums to present their views, concerns, and priorities under the SDGs. The CSOs have also produced their own VNR reports to supplement the Government’s VNR report. Their inputs as well as contributions from other stakeholders will further synergize Thailand’s efforts to achieve the SDGs. Voluntary National Review - A process Thailand views the VNR as a process to engage and to create ownership more than a report-making exercise. The VNR taskforce comprises lead agencies of 17 SDGs and the National Statistical Office. Several rounds of consultations were conducted to gather relevant information. The content of the report derived from two processes: assessing progress and learning from communities. The report provides a snapshot of significant progress in 2016 together with approaches and good practices applied in 17 SDGs, especially the SEP for SDGs model projects studied and selected from diverse areas and sectors, as well as challenges faced in achieving some of the goals. Background on data collection and indicators together with statistical annex are also presented. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as chair of VNR Taskforce in collaboration with local universities, organized regional engagement sessions to update stakeholders on the national SDGs implementation and gather their views on how the country should proceed to achieve the SDGs. Greater awareness and ownership have been generated along the process and the report drafting taskforce actually has gotten to appreciate local wisdom and community strength and learned more. The Progress Built on the achievement in the Millennium Development Goals, Thailand has a solid foundation for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Here are the snapshots on status, early progresses and challenges. Goal 1: Thailand has achieved the MDGs target on poverty and hunger, reducing the number of people living in poverty and hunger by half. However, poverty remains in many manifestations and inequalities persist. Around 7.2 per cent of population lives under the national poverty line, the number could reach 15.5 per cent if we include those who are slightly above the line. Measures such as SEP villages seek to increase income and reduce expenditure for those in the rural area. The government has started a registration scheme to provide support to the poor. In 2016, 17,469 million baht (approximately 485 million US Dollar) was provided to 7.5 million registered low income-earners through the national epayment system to further support their livelihood. It is expected that the scheme will benefit around 12 million qualified registrants in 2017. Goal 2: Thailand, also known as “Kitchen of the World”, has successfully reduced the proportion of undernourished population from 34.6 per cent to 7.5 per cent during the MDGs era. Efforts to provide the poor and vulnerable groups with access to adequate, safe and nutritious food will be further highlighted in the 20 – Year National Strategy Framework on healthcare. Measures, including law, have been taken to reduce stunning and wasting in children under 5 year of age. Thailand strives to ensure sustainable food production system through promoting practice of sustainable agriculture in the forms of organic farming and the “New Theory Farming” under the SEP concept, with the target to increase the area of sustainable agriculture farming at 80,000 hectare per annum. 125

Goal 3: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has been a crucial factor in the improvement of healthcare service in Thailand with current coverage stands at 99.87 per cent. We also attach great importance to preventive medicine. As a result, maternal and neonatal mortality rates are well below the global targets thanks to 99.6 per cent of birth attended by skilled health personnel. New cases of pandemic diseases are also on the decline. The government is determined to reduce the number of road traffic accident through legal measures and promoting safe driving behavior to bring down the second most cause of death. Goal 4: More than 90 per cent of school age children are enjoying subsidized 15- year basic education available to all children in the land, regardless of their nationalities or migrant status. The government is promoting vocational study in particular dual education with an aim to increasing quality workforce in real sectors. We are working harder to advance the quality of education at all levels under the 12th Education Plan (2017-2021) and the National Education Plan 2017-2036. Goal 5: Gender equality is another success story from the MDGs. Girls enjoy equal access to quality education as boys do. In fact, they even do better in higher education. Female are now accounted for 60 per cent of the workforce and hold a handsome share of 38 per cent of executive level in private sector. The current constitution calls for gender responsive budgeting, on which a pilot project is being implemented in Surat Thani province. Elements of SDG 5 will be incorporated in the Women Development Strategy 2017-2021. Goal 6: Almost 100 percent of households have access to safe and affordable drinking water as well as sanitation facilities. However challenge remains in remote rural areas where we are doubling our effort to address the situation. The Water Resource Management Strategic Plan 2015 – 2026 has provided a holistic approach both in terms of water-use efficiency and water resource infrastructure to ensure that Thailand can meet her future demand. Goal 7: Thailand imports more than 70 per cent of energy for domestic consumption each year. The 20 – Year Integrated Energy Plan (2015-2036) is the road map for the country’s energy security. Thailand is trying to diversify the source of energy focusing on domestic source, improve energy efficiency and promote community participation in energy management. Thailand seeks to increase the proportion of alternative energy from 13.83 per cent to 30 per cent by 2036. Currently Thailand has the highest solar power capacity among ASEAN members. Goal 8: The 20 – Year National Strategy Framework aims to raise Thailand to become a high – income country by 2036. In addition to the projected growth from agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors, the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2016 – 2020) aims to strengthen national competitiveness with service and digital based economy, enhance skill of the workforces and provide labour protection and welfare. Goal 9: Thailand has been actively promoting connectivity within and beyond borders for years. The draft 20 –Year Transportation Development Strategy (2017- 2036) aligns with the SDGs in providing effective, green and safe, inclusive and innovative transport for all. At the same time the Thailand 4.0 policy will boost value added in manufacturing sector through promoting greater utilization of creativity, technology and innovation while ensuring environmental friendly practices. The development of STI capacity will have a central role in this endeavour. Goal 10: Addressing inequality became one of the main targets in recent national development plans. In 2015, income of the bottom 40 per cent of population grew 6.05 per cent comparing to the national rate of 1.66 per cent. Thailand aims to increase the income growth of the bottom 40 to 15 per cent per annum during the next 5 years. Various schemes have been implemented to support and generate income for the poor such as micro financing, providing financial support, welfare and benefit for low income – earners , establishing social enterprises at every province to support communities development.

126

Goal 11: Thailand is aligning new urban development plan with the New Urban Agenda. Land ownership and land distribution will be addressed with legal measures. The government is developing a 10 – Year housing development strategy, targeting at 2.72 million households living in inferior housing condition or informal settlement. In addition, 22,434 million bath (approximately 623 million US Dollar) preferential housing loan has made available to the low and middle income population. Already trained in 972 communities in 2016, the Community Based Disaster Risk Management programme based on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction will be further expanded to local comminutes nationwide. Goal 12: The concept Sustainable Consumption and Production is closely related with SEP which advocates a balanced lifestyle that promotes growth and conserves the environment at the same time. In this regard, Thailand has developed the “SCP roadmap 2017- 2036” to further promote the SCP concept in different sectors, and implemented various medium and long term plans and strategies on green industry, chemical and waste management, environmental management, green procurement, as well as various green labeling schemes to ensure the achievement of SDG 12. Goal 13: Thailand is one of the countries with high vulnerability to the impact of climate change. This places the issue among national priorities. Consequently measures on climate change has been incorporated in the National Economic and Social Development Plan since 2012 and also integrated in the 20 – Year National Strategy Framework (2017-2036). Thailand’s Climate Change Master Plan (2015-2036) aims to enhance adaptation and mitigation capacity of various sectors. 17 provinces and 32 municipalities have been trained and developed climate action plan for their respective constituencies, complementing their provincial disaster risk reduction plans. Goal 14: The Coastal reforestation programme has resulted in 5.24 per cent increase of mangrove forest area during 2004 – 2014, returning to its former health. Currently, areas under different marine resource and ecological management regimes account for 15.68 per cent of total marine area in Thailand, including 18,136 square kilometers of protected marine and coastal areas. The National Plan of Action to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing was designed to fulfill Thailand’s responsibilities to marine fisheries resources both inside and outside Thai waters. Goal 15: Thailand has set a target of increasing forest area from 31.6 percent of land area to 40 per cent through various forestation schemes and financial mechanisms. Authorities are also working with communities in forest areas to uplift their well-being, providing alternative means of income and reducing the need to deforest or endanger biodiversity. The Elephant Ivory Act 2015 has been proven to be effective in controlling illicit ivory trade and possession, demonstrating Thailand’s determination in combat wildlife trafficking. Goal 16: SEP inspired initiatives such as alternative development and the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders – the Bangkok Rules, have been identified as measures to promote and support peaceful society. Thailand has the “zero tolerance for human trafficking” policy and continues efforts in prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership. On combating corruption, another national agenda, several legal measures have been enacted and amended. The establishment of Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Offence in 2016, for example, will help reduce the time to finalise such cases more quickly. Goal 17: Thailand firmly believes that only through partnership we can achieve the inclusive and sustainable development. Thailand has created enabling environment for the private sector to enhance MOI in other developing countries. The Duty Free Quota Free regime for LDCs has been implemented since 2015, complementing Thailand’s outbound investment promotion in developing countries. For years, Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) have been providing cooperation on sustainable development in terms of technical 127

assistance, financial grants and concessional loans as well as development projects. One of the legacies of Thailand’s G-77 chairmanship in 2016 is the “SEP for SDGs Partnership” with ongoing SEP model projects in 10 countries from different continents and many more projects in the pipeline. Thailand is actively promoting regional cooperation on sustainable development. Thailand has supported UN Office for South-South Cooperation to resume its regional office in Bangkok. Thailand is the Coordinator of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote complementarities between the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the 2030 Agenda and the prime mover and coordinator in promoting sustainable development in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) respectively. CONCLUSION VNR is not only about reporting or sharing our good practices and challenges. Thailand believes that the VNR process has provided countries with opportunities to take stock on sustainable development efforts and strengthen SDGs implementation as well as mobilize public awareness and contribution. It will serve as a solid foundation for future SDGs follow up and reviews, and bring about concerted efforts from all stakeholders for achieving the SDGs. VNR is a practical tool and an engaging process that should be encouraged.

Togo [Originally submitted in French and translated to English by the Secretariat]

Following the adoption in September 2015 of the Development Programme for 2030 incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the international community, Togo has been firmly committed and taken ownership of these Goals in the formulation of its National Development Plan (NDP) for the period 2018-2022. In this respect, the country had voluntarily submitted itself to peer review during the First High-Level Political Forum held, which enabled it to share its experiences in the integration of the SDGs in its national development planning instruments. The Togolese Government would like to seize this opportunity to extend its gratitude to all the partners that supported it in its fight against poverty. This Togo Country Report, drawn up following the theme adopted by the United Nations for this year 2017, i.e. "eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world", hinges on: (i) its preparation process and the general framework for the integration of the SDGs into its national planning instruments; (ii) efforts deployed towards the implementation of SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 14, 17 selected by the United Nations for the current review and (iii) major challenges and prospects. Report preparation process The report preparation process was participatory and inclusive to the extent that all development stakeholders were consulted and involved in its formulation. The process was carried out in two main steps, namely (i) the preparation and collection of information, and (ii) the drafting and validation of the report. General framework for the integration of the sustainable development goals in the planning instruments 128

The general framework for the integration of the SDGs in the national planning instruments comprised two essential aspects. The first relates to the SDG ownership process, while the second concerns their proper integration in the national planning instruments. The process for the appropriation of the Sustainable Development Goals became effective in Togo thanks to the several awareness and outreach activities dedicated to these goals in order to ensure a shared vision at all levels. These activities involved training and sensitization workshops carried out at the national and regional levels, as well as in different localities, for the benefit of development stakeholders to enable them to contribute and take full ownership of the issues at stake in terms of sustainable development and the formulation process for the 2018-2022 National Development Plan, which constitutes the reference framework for development policies over the next five years. In taking into account the sustainable development goals in the 2018-2022 National Development Plan (NDP), Togo proceeded with the integration of these goals based on their associated targets. At the sectoral level, certain sectoral policies or plans have been updated or are currently being updated to reflect the sustainable development goals based on their associated targets. Efforts deployed towards the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 14 and 17 In Togo, efforts geared towards eradicating poverty in all its forms include improving the living conditions of the poor in general and the vulnerable persons in particular. The poverty rate dropped from 61.7% in 2006 to 58.7% in 2011 and 55.1% in 2015, a decrease of 6.6 points. The national rate of access to potable water increased from 50% in 2015 to 53.9% in 2016. This rate increased in rural areas over the same period from 55.3% to 64.4%. The rate of access to electricity in 2016 was estimated at 35.63% at the national level and 6% in the rural areas. With the prospect of ending hunger, achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture, the Government has since 2008 been deploying major initiatives in terms of investment and organization of stakeholders. These efforts have helped increase the agricultural sector's contribution to the national GDP, which rose from 40% in 2015 to 41.9% in 2016. Since 2009, the country has recorded a surplus of grains and tubers thereby allowing it to export said products across the sub-region and thus contribute to improving the incomes of small-scale producers. Efforts deployed towards ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages have begun to bear fruit. They include the institution of a functional, accessible and equitable healthcare system that acknowledges the right to health for all, especially for the most vulnerable persons. The maternal mortality rate stood at 400 per 100,000 live births in 2015. The percentage of rural villages with a community health worker trained on integrated healthcare treatment for illnesses such as diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria was estimated at 45.4% in 2015. Via the implementation of its National Equity and Gender Equality Policy (PNEEG), the Government aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Various actions undertaken have helped improve the educational enrolment of girls, which has increased from 93.5% in 2015 to 94.2% in 2016; the percentage of illiterate women stood at 49% in 2015, while the percentage of female parliamentarians (increased from 11.1% in 2012 to 18.7% in 2017) and that of female ministers (increased from 16.7% in 2016 to 21.7% in 2017). In order to build a resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization that is beneficial to all and foster innovation, significant efforts have been made in terms of investments in road, port and airport infrastructure as well as promotion of the digital economy. Whereby the rehabilitation of the Lomé- Burkina Faso border corridor and the main 129

cross-throughways. The Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport in Lomé was also rehabilitated and upgraded to international standards in 2016 with the construction of a new terminal with the capacity to accommodate more than 1.5 million passengers per year. This helped to increase traffic from 589,416 in 2013 to 758,000 passengers in 2016. The construction of a third pier and a dock equipped with the state-of-the-art equipment helped to boost the capacity of the Autonomous Port of Lomé. The volume of containers handled at the Port of Lomé was estimated at 905,700 in 2015. Trade facilitation in Togo has changed significantly with the implementation of the Single Window for Foreign Trade (GUCE). The construction of a 250 km fiber optic network (e-government) has helped to connect more than 560 office buildings and more than 10,000 civil servants for sake of modernization of public administration and simplification of administrative procedures. The domains for the installation of the industrial sites of Adétikopé and Kpomé have been secured and their master plans completed. In order to ensure the conservation and sustainable exploitation of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, the Government established in 2014 the National Agency for State Action on Maritime Matters (ONAEM) which is specifically aimed at safeguarding maritime interests, effectively combatting insecurity in its maritime spaces and developing a blue economy. In this respect, from 10 to 15 October 2016, Togo hosted the Summit of the African Union (AU) on Maritime Safety, Security and Development in Africa which culminated in the signing of the Pan-African Charter on Maritime Transport. In addition, Togo pledged at the International Conference themed "Our Ocean, Our Future" to achieve two main targets towards the elimination, by 2022, of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities (“pêche IUU”) in maritime areas under its jurisdiction; and by 2025, cases of pollution arising from oil dumping and effluent discharges into the sea. With respect to coastal protection, Togo is in the process of implementing a programme for integrated coastal management and protection against coastal erosion. The encroachment on the lineal seashore protected against coastal erosion has increased from 20,820 m in 2014 to 21,170 in 2015, i.e. an increase of 350 meters. In a bid to revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development and strengthen the means of implementation of this partnership, Togo has embarked on the implementation of reforms geared at mobilizing both internal and external resources for economic emergence. These structural reforms have led to the establishment of the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR), a fusion of the customs and tax authorities, which has helped increase State revenues by 24.1% between 2014 and 2016. While external resources and budgetary support have increased by 43% over the same period. Moreover, Togo is equally striving to attract more public or private foreign partners in the implementation of reforms required to improve the business environment, preserve the gains of sound macroeconomic management under the framework of the three-year programme with the IMF and conclude the threshold programme in negotiation with the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Since 2016, the Government is striving to sustain this momentum notably through sanitized land management, improved supply of information and communications technology (ICT), promotion of investments in the water and energy sectors, fast-track establishment of an appropriate legal framework for public-private partnerships and the promotion of active diplomacy for development purposes. Major Challenges and Prospects In a bid to ensure the successful implementation of the SDGs, Togo is firmly committed to meeting some major challenges in terms of statistical development, operationalization of the decentralization process and strengthening of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms with a view to ensuring the establishment of planning, monitoring and evaluation structures within the sectoral ministries. In perspective, Togo is striving to strengthen its statistical output through the operationalization of the National Institute of Statistics and Economic & Demographic Studies, the development of a national mechanism for evaluating indicators, the finalization of the 130

National Development Plan incorporating the SDGs and the mobilization of resources to finance its implementation.

Uruguay [Originally submitted in Spanish and translated to English by the Secretariat]

Transformation of social protection approach Uruguay has made significant progress in recent years with the level of wellbeing of the population, as evidenced by a sustained decline in poverty, the near-disappearance of extreme poverty, and a considerable reduction in multidimensional poverty. Since 2005, levels of poverty have been in steady decline. The determining factors of that decline have been economic recovery and the implementation of social policies focusing on reducing poverty, improving income distribution and encouraging social inclusion. The social policies include the following: (a) Establishment and institutional consolidation of the Ministry of Social Development; (b) (c) councils;

The Emergency Plan and Equity Plan; A return to the model of agreement across sectors of society and tripartite wage

(d) Presentation to, and adoption by, Parliament of worker-protection laws, notably including protection for female domestic workers and protection of rural workers, which has helped to reduce informal employment, increase social security coverage and formalize the labour market; (e) Health-care reform: the National Integrated Health System, whose principles include universalization of coverage; (f)

Education: increasing coverage from birth to age five;

(g) Implementation of the Uruguay Crece Contigo (Uruguay grows with you) programme, a national public programme aimed at consolidating an integral system of support for early childhood. Uruguay has adopted a series of public policies taking an integral view of human rights: (a)

Rights of children and adolescents (in which Uruguay plays an international role);

(b) The gender perspective included in a number of public policies: quota for representation of women in various spheres; (c)

Legislation on sexual and reproductive health rights.

131

The health of the population of Uruguay has been improving in recent years. However, non-communicable diseases remain a source of concern. At the seventy-first session of the General Assembly, the President of Uruguay called for a global partnership for health and life. Transformation of the approach to production and the environment (a) Design and implementation of the system for innovation and scientific and technical development (establishment of the National Innovation and Research Agency); (b) New approach to energy and self-sufficiency, meaning that the old approach based on oil (and the economic dependence that that involved) would be replaced with an approach based on clean and renewable energy sources (mainly water and wind); (c) Diversification of exports, both in terms of exportable output and in terms of export destinations; (d) An increase in investment in order to increase the output capacity of the country, and generate employment and income; (e) Design and implementation of the National System for the Transformation of Production; (f)

Digital inclusion for the entire population.

Zimbabwe [Originally submitted in English]

Zimbabwe has committed itself fully to Agenda 2030. Sustainable development is a core constitutional imperative and an overall strategic objective for the country. Zimbabwe’s Constitution guarantees political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights for all citizens. These rights are clearly articulated and provided for in the Bill of Rights, and are justiciable. Moreover, Chapter 12 initiatives on oversight bodies, including the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Anti-corruption Commission, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, Gender Commission and the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights, have created a strong foundation for building an inclusive and peaceful society for sustainable development. The SDGs are being implemented in the context of economic recovery following the El Nino-induced drought of 2015/16 which left over 4 million people food insecure, 51 percent of whom are women. Price instability, especially during the lean season, compromises the ability of households to obtain an adequate year-round supply of food through markets. The GDP growth rate declined from 1.1 percent in 2015 to an estimated 0.6 percent in 2016. However, it is projected to increase to 3.8 percent in 2017. This growth will be driven by anticipated improvement in the agriculture, manufacturing, mining, construction and financial sectors. Some of the key initiatives supporting the economy include: • The special programme on maize production for import substitution (command agriculture) aiming to ensure the country produces adequate grain to feed itself by giving identified farmers inputs, irrigation and mechanised equipment.

132

• Strategic protectionist policy through the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 to support local industry. This intervention has resulted in capacity utilisation in local industry increasing significantly, from 34.3 percent in 2015 to 47.4 percent in 2016. • Ease of doing business reforms being spearheaded by the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC). The reforms focus on the ten global indices of doing business, as follows: Starting a Business; Protecting Minority Investors; Enforcing Contracts; Resolving Insolvency; Getting Credit; Paying Taxes; Trading Across Borders; Construction Permits; Registering Property; and Getting Electricity. • The Special Economic Zones Act promulgated by Government in October 2016 to promote foreign direct investment inflows. Government has already designated three sites as special economic zones, namely Sunway City, Bulawayo Industrial Area and Victoria Falls.

Reflecting its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Zimbabwe volunteered to undertake a national review of SDGs in 2017, along with 44 countries, including seven African countries. The voluntary national reviews (VNRs) seek to facilitate sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges, opportunities and lessons learnt, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The process of VNR in Zimbabwe involved extensive consultation with government ministries, development agencies, the private sector, unions and civil society organisations. The primary focus of this report is on SDGs 1 and 2, and the enabling goals (3, 5, 9, 14 and 17). INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS Government has put in place a clear institutional framework to guide the implementation of the SDGs in Zimbabwe consisting of: • A Steering Committee to provide overall guidance and strategic leadership to the process. The Steering Committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet and the membership comprises all line ministry Permanent Secretaries and the heads of the UN agencies. • A Technical Committee to spearhead the technical processes as well as providing technical back-stopping. The Technical Committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Macroeconomic Planning and Investment Promotion. Membership includes SDG focal persons from line ministries and representatives from UN agencies, development partners, the private sector, civil society and the Office of the President and Cabinet. •

Thematic clusters for mainstreaming and localising the SDGs.

•

A monitoring and evaluation policy including prioritised SDGs targets and

indicators. • Coordination mechanism led by the Ministry of Macroeconomic Planning and Investment Promotion under the guidance and supervision of OPC, for SDG implementation.

KEY SUCCESSES SDG 1: Government has prioritised ending poverty and this is informed by and reflected in the country’s development policies. Some of the initiatives that Government has taken to address poverty include: • Launch of an Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP) in September 2016 as part of Government’s international re-engagement efforts, and to eradicate poverty and ensure inclusive growth. • The December 2016 launch of the National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF) which seeks to strengthen mechanisms for reducing poverty and vulnerability by

133

improving the coverage and effectiveness of the various social protection programmes in place. The trends on key indicators show that: • Zimbabwe’s multidimensional poverty index (MPI) declined marginally from 0.172 in 2011 to 0.127 in 2014. • The percentage of people who are MPI poor declined significantly from 39.1 percent in 2011 to 29.7 percent in 2014. • Of the 6.3 million children in Zimbabwe, 78 percent (4.8million) live in consumption poverty and 26 percent (1.6 million) live in extreme/food poverty.

While, the El Nino-induced drought and subsequent floods might have aggravated the poverty situation, a good harvest in the last season may have helped mitigate some of these adverse effects. SDG 2: Zimbabwe has a strong policy environment for achieving food security and improved nutrition, and has prioritised ending hunger within its overall development agenda. The government with support from the UN recently introduced the zero-hunger strategy. Interventions in the agricultural sector have been aligned to the principles of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Developments on key indicators include: •

Reducing the portion of people who are extremely poor to 16 percent.

• A sharp increase in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) score, due to erratic rainfall and drought, from 16.5 in 2014 to 30.8 in 2015 but a subsequent decline to 28.8 in 2016. • An increase in the total area under maize production by 52 percent, from 1,161,997 hectares in 2015/16 to 1,770,389 in 2016/017. •

Expected agricultural sector growth by 12 percent this year.

• Projections that the country could produce over 2.8 million tonnes of cereals and other food crops, against a national food requirement of 1.8 million tonnes. • A decline in prevalence of stunting in children under 5 years to 27 percent in 2015, from 32 percent in 2010/11).

SDG 3: Zimbabwe has made positive efforts to create an enabling policy environment to improve public health. Some of these initiatives include: • Provision for the right to health under Section 76 of the Constitution. Government developed the National Health Strategy for Zimbabwe 2016-2020 which seeks to achieve ‘Equity and Quality in Health: Leaving no one behind.’ The Strategy is anchored by four priority areas, namely: communicable diseases; non-communicable diseases (NCDs); reproductive, maternal, new-born, child and adolescents; and public health surveillance and disaster preparedness and response. • Accession to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2015 which has enforced greater compliance with tobacco advertising laws. • A robust HIV response strategy. Zimbabwe has also pioneered innovative approaches, including mobilisation of domestic resources through the AIDS levy to ensure sustainability. This will be topped up by donor support to the health sector through the Health Development Fund and the Global Fund which secured over $400 million for HIV related interventions. The Ministry of Health has developed an HIV Prevention Revitalisation Roadmap to guide implementation of high impact HIV prevention interventions, particularly targeting hotspots and key populations.

134

• The introduction by Government in January 2017 Government of a 5 percent levy on all mobile phone airtime and mobile broadband which is going towards a Health Fund.

Of concern is the unavailability of current comprehensive data on the burden of NCDs and their risk factors due to failure by the country to conduct the recommended WHO NCD STEPWISE survey. This has had a negative impact on meaningful NCD programming. Zimbabwe has made significant progress on the health front including: • A drop in HIV prevalence to 14 percent in 2016 (Female at 16.6 percent; Male at 11.2 percent) from 18 percent in 2005/06. • A decline in the under-5 mortality rate, from 84 per 1,000 live births in 2010/11 to 69 per 1,000 live births in 2015. The infant mortality dropped from 57 per 1000 live births in 2010/11 to 50 per 1,000 live births in 2015. • Coverage for all basic vaccinations among children aged 12 to 23 months in Zimbabwe was 76 percent in 2015, up from 65 percent in 2010/11. • A decline in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) estimated at 651 deaths per 100,000 live births during the seven-year period before the 2015 survey, representing a decline from 960 deaths per 100,000 live births during the seven-year period preceding the 2010/11 survey.

SDG 5: Government is committed to the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment and the Constitution provides a robust legal framework for the promotion of SGD 5. Several policies and institutions have been put in place to actualise these provisions, for instance: • The National Gender Policy (NGP), the goal of which is ‘to eradicate gender discrimination and inequalities in all spheres of life and development’. • The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) which seeks to ensure gender equality as provided for in the Constitution. • Zimbabwe is one of the few countries that has come up with a special electoral quota system to increase women’s representation in Parliament to at least 30 percent. • The Constitutional Court in 2016 passed a judgement outlawing marriage of persons below the age of 18 years. This is a landmark ruling that will advance child rights in Zimbabwe by helping to end the harmful and prevalent practice of marrying children, especially girls. The ruling not only upholds the Constitution but also reaffirms Zimbabwe’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

The following key milestones have been achieved. • The country has achieved near gender parity in key indicators of educational attainment. • The representation of women in the Senate increased from 23.2 percent in 2012 to 47.5 percent in 2017 and there was an increase from 16 percent in 2012 to 32.6 percent in 2017 in the National Assembly.

SDG 9: Well-developed infrastructure is crucial for a well-functioning society and competitive industrial sector. Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and fostering innovation are firmly placed at the centre of the Government’s programme. Major infrastructure projects have been launched in the areas of utilities, transportation and connectivity, and industrial zones. Some of the key initiatives include:

135

• Rehabilitation of water and sewerage infrastructure in several urban centres. Among them are the Urgent Water Supply and Sanitation Rehabilitation Project Phase 1 in Mutare, Masvingo, Kwekwe, Chegutu, Harare, and Chitungwiza. • Expansion of the Kariba South power station, the Emergency Power Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project to rehabilitate power transmission and distribution systems, as well as the rehabilitation of the Ash plant at Hwange thermal power station. •

Upgrading of Victoria Falls Airport to cater for wide body aircraft with an expanded

runway. CHALLENGES Despite the above achievements, the country is facing several challenges in terms of implementing the SDGs. These include: • Limited fiscal space, with the bulk of fiscal revenues going towards funding recurrent expenditures. This is exacerbated by high indebtedness. • The increase in the urban population coupled with rising informal economy activities which has led to several challenges including: rising incidence of urban poverty; inadequate housing; inadequate provision of services; and environmental degradation and pollution. • The negative impact of relatively low per capita incomes on secondary school enrolment and access to healthcare. •

Gaps in terms of policy implementation and coherence.

• Insufficient timely and disaggregated data for most indicators, making it difficult to track and monitor progress.

LESSONS LEARNT • Prioritisation is key: Zimbabwe has committed itself to implementing all the SDGs with an emphasis on SDGs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 17. The prioritisation exercise was guided by the country’s vision, the need to focus on enabling Goals, resource availability and our unfinished business from the MDGs. • Integration and alignment are essential for effective implementation: The SDGs have already been mainstreamed and integrated into the national development plan, and SDG implementation and national priorities will continue to be aligned. Plans are in place to strengthen the capacities of sub-national authorities to align strategies and policies at that level to achieve the SDGs. • Parliament plays a vital role in domestication and ownership: Extensive consultations with parliamentarians led to the establishment of a Parliamentary Thematic Committee on SDGs represented by all Chairs of portfolio committees. Such processes will enable actions towards enabling legislation, appropriation, oversight and monitoring of the SDGs. • Targeted specific interventions can pay hefty dividends: The recent initiative on ‘Command Agriculture’ including targeted input subsidy provision, has strengthened resistance to economic and climate-induced shocks. • Strong partnerships are essential to progress on the SDGs: In view of the comprehensive nature of the SDGs, strong partnerships play a vital role in SDG implementation. The donor community provided support to the tune of $800 million in 2016 somewhat easing the tight fiscal situation in the country.

136

OPPORTUNITIES • Innovative mobilisation of domestic resources will be critical to building financial capacity and creating fiscal space for sustainable development. There is scope for fiscal expansion in plugging leakages through illicit financial outflows to the tune of US$1.8 billion annually. • The huge informal economy also presents significant opportunities for Government to increase the fiscal space if appropriate policies are put in place to harness its full potential. • Leveraging the youth demographic dividend through skills development among other approaches. • Harnessing ICTs for sustainable development by building on current initiatives such as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

NEXT STEPS •

Strengthening the National Budget policy to achieve the SDGs.

•

Dialogue and follow-up action on financing for development in Zimbabwe.

•

Aligning sub-national strategies and policies to achieve the SDGs.

• Capacity building support targeting civil society to enhance and broaden participation in the implementation of the SDGs. • Enhance the capacity of the statistical agency to address the data demands of the 2030 Agenda effectively. • Expand climate smart agriculture, and improve agricultural extension services and rural infrastructure.

137